RE: [Simple] Status summary

From: Avshalom Houri [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2002 05:03
> What is sip based in the XP Windows messenger is in the VOIP part. The PIM part is still 
> using the MSN protocol (VER 119) as can be seen if you look at the packets it sends. 

Ver 4.6 allows you to set it up as a client with logins to multiple IM networks - both MSN, and "Communications Server" (which is really SIP), plus the Exchange IM (if you have that version).

To get Exchange IM working you need Exchange, and to get SIP working you need a SIP server. The Microsoft .NET Server (server version of XP) includes a SIP server, called however the Real Time Communication (RTC) Service.

We have successfully sent messages using .NET Server Beta 3 between Windows Messenger (on WinXP), and MSN Messenger (on Win2k). The packet traces do in fact use SIP MESSAGE's, plus NOTIFY and REGISTER (for presence). There is also an SDK for writing clients, and an SDK for writing extension modules for the server (for routing, etc).

You can get the server to either add itself to the route for all messages, or (the default) allow the clients to communicate directly once they have discovered each other.

The service still seems rather limited however as it doesn't support conferencing (whereas MSN service does). Also, some of the status seems to be sent via non-SIP methods.

On a related note, although MSN Messenger does not allow you to send an IM to someone on your buddy list who is offline (it automatically throws you into email), it is possible to select the "Other" option and manually type in any address (including a buddy's) to initiate a conversation with them. (You can even do this with a non-existent address)

It does notify you in the chat window "the other person appears to be offline" however, and 
any messages you send to an offline/non-existent person are dropped (i.e. there is no store and forward).

P.S. Below is the section from the Window Messenger help doco that describes "Communication Service".

Hope this helps,

Stephen Gryphon

P.S. I haven't checked out the available status' yet using the MS RTC server.

======================================================================
What is a Communications Service account?
A Communications Service account provides instant messaging within a corporation or network. For you to use a Communications Service account, your company must be using a technology called Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). If you are not sure if your Messenger program allows the use of a Communications Service account, ask your system administrator.

A Communications Service account allows you to: 

Send instant messages within your corporate network. 
Add other Communications Service users to your contacts list. 
Talk with another Communications Service user using your microphones. 
Send a file to another Communications Service user. 
======================================================================




  [reminder: [email protected] for non-technical discussions, please]