Instant Message (IM) Server Upgrade

Why did SLAC change IM Servers?

Our current MS Exchange IM server is an old version of Instant Messenger running as a component of Exchange 2000 in which Microsoft mainstream support will officially end Dec, 2005.

We identified MS Office Live Communication Server (LCS) 2005 as the next version of IM and as such a very similar service to what we offer now.  We feel LCS is better because it’s more scalable and it doesn't require maintaining a separate Exchange account database. It uses our current Windows Active Directory infrastructure and directory services.  In addition, this Instant Messaging server is based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and SIP for Instant Messaging Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), both of which are proposed standards.

While it might have been appropriate to find an IM server which was not so Windows-centric, we have limited resources within SCCS to maintain and support a server which could have supported all the various operating systems in use at SLAC.  MS Live Communication Server seemed to be a logical progression to a current version upgrade without the addition of significant resources.  We will continue to monitor the Instant Message server market and client offerings until and if there is something which could potentially be a better suite for SLAC and its large and diverse user community.  At the time of this writing there were at least a dozen different IM servers and many more different IM clients, each working on one or more operating systems.

Who Can Use this Service?

Anyone with a SLAC Windows account and your computer IP address must be in the internal SLAC network (e.g. 134.79.*.*).

If you are not on the SLAC internal network then you'll need to start a VPN session to get an IP address on the SLAC network before being able to reach the server. We will get the proper version of Windows Messenger installed on Citrix farm soon so you don't need VPN (9/05).

What Messaging Clients Work with it?

MS Windows Messenger 5.1 is the only client supported by SLAC.  However, since SIP is a proposed standard there are undoubtedly other SIP clients available (e.g. Trillian Pro w/SIP plugin) and we expect there will be more added.

Any New Features?

The SIP protocol supports audio conversations.
Communications is encrypted.
Ability to search our Exchange email Global Address List.
Application and Whiteboard sharing is available (via Windows Messenger and NetMeeting) but we recommend limiting the scope of the exception for NetMeeting in your firewall to SLAC IP address space (134.79.0.0/255.255.0.0).

Enabling Windows Accounts for Office Live Communication Instant Messaging

Anyone who wants to use this service will need to get their Windows account enabled for the SIP IM service at SLAC. Please send an e-mail to SCCS Account Desk and request that your Windows account be enabled for SIP IM. We will reply with your SIP sign-in address which you'll need to configure the client.

Windows Messenger 5.1 Required

If you don't already have Windows Messenger 5.1 installed then you'll need to install this software first. MSN Messenger won't work because it only works with .NET accounts. Windows Messenger 5.1 can use both your .NET and SIP (and even your Exchange) IM accounts.

You can use the SLAC Xweb Installation Link to install the software.

Configuration

Existing SLAC Exchange Instant Messenger Users

Open the Windows Messenger 5.1 client and select the Tools menu, then select Options. On the Accounts tab you'll place a checkmark in the SIP Communications Service box and fill in your SIP sign-on name you got from SCCS Accounts Desk. Generally this is going to be your Windows or Exchange userid followed by @win.slac.stanford.edu.

You probably don't want to uncheck the Exchange box yet because you'll want to retain that "buddy" list in order to know who to add to your SIP buddy list. Later you can come back and uncheck the Exchange box. SLAC will be retiring the Exchange IM server early this fall.

You may need to sign out of Messenger and then sign back in before you are connected to the SIP server. If you get a prompt for your account and password then use the domain\username format in the username field (e.g. slac\teresa).

Once you are in you'll still need to add the other SIP users which you'll want to communicate with. Please skip to here for instructions on adding SIP Contacts.

New Windows Messenger Users - those which didn't use the SLAC Exchange IM service

After you install Windows Messenger 5.1 and you launch it for the first time you will see following window where you will click on "Click here to sign in".

 

The following dialog box will appear. Uncheck the .NET Messaging Service and place a checkmark in the SIP Communications Service line and click the OK button.

 

The Sign In page will display and you'll type the SIP sign-in name which you got from SCCS Accounts Desk and press OK.

 

Now you'll enter your SLAC user name (use the domain\username) format and also enter your Windows password. Then press OK.

Adding Contacts

Now we need to Add some Contacts. Press the Add a Contact item in the lower part of the screen.

 

This window will display and you will press Next button.

 

Type the SIP sign-in name of the person you want to add.

 

You'll see this was successful and you can add more or Press Finish.

 

The other person will see a window like this the next time they sign in to Windows Messenger.

 

Even before the person responds though they are added as a Contact for you. They won't appear Online in your Windows Messenger until they have responded to the request from the SLAC IM server above.

Your Status Information

There are several settings that are configured automatically by the IM client. One is Away, which is displayed when there has been no activity at your keyboard for a given period of time, usually 30 minutes; it will switch to Online when you touch your keyboard and initiate activity with your mouse. Then there is Offline, which reflects that you are not logged onto the IM server.  To change the default time to switch you to Away status select Tools, Options, Preferences.