Architectural Basics

GroupWise Messenger is an instant messaging collaboration tool. A GroupWise Messenger system can run independent of your GroupWise system, and it has no dependencies on GroupWise. As of the writing of this book, the only level of integration between GroupWise Messenger 2.0 and GroupWise 7 is integration at the client level. Also, GroupWise Monitor can monitor the GroupWise Messenger Agents. The GroupWise Messenger Windows client can launch a new GroupWise message to compose, and the GroupWise 7 Windows client can launch a GroupWise Messenger session. The GroupWise 7 Windows client can also dynamically show in the GroupWise client whether a GroupWise Messenger user is actually available in his GroupWise Messenger client. Although this integration exists, neither client has a dependency on the other.

Client Software

The GroupWise Messenger client currently runs on the Windows desktop platform, and a GroupWise Messenger client exists for Linux and Macintosh.

The GroupWise Messenger client is currently not compatible with other instant messaging solutions, such as those provided by AOL, MSN, and Yahoo.

Server Software

The server software is actually called "Novell Messenger" in the server interface for this software. As you install and work with your messenger system, you will see the Novell Messenger theme used often in the naming structure of files and directories. There are two server components for Novell Messenger: the Messaging Agent and the Archive Agent. The Messaging Agent relays IM (Instant Messenger) conversations between GroupWise Messenger clients. The Archive Agent, which you are not required to run, allows those conversations to be archived. Some customers will want to use the Archive Agent, particularly when GroupWise Messenger is used for its conferencing capabilities.

The GroupWise Messaging and Archive Agents run on the NetWare, Linux, and Windows Server platforms.

Administration Software

GroupWise Messenger is configured through GroupWise Messenger snap-ins to ConsoleOne version 1.3.6 or higher. The GroupWise Messenger administration database is eDirectory. The GroupWise Messenger system in no way uses the GroupWise Directory Store (the WPDOMAIN.DB and WPHOST.DB files).

Directory Software

The GroupWise Messenger directory is Novell eDirectory. GroupWise Messenger clients authenticate to eDirectory, and eDirectory is their directory for populating their GroupWise Messenger buddy list. eDirectory is also used to hold some user preferences. For example, a user's buddy list is held in eDirectory. Because of this, keep in mind the health of your eDirectory tree.

GroupWise Messenger users do not need to have the Novell client in order to use GroupWise Messenger, although they do need a full eDirectory account. We like to call this a "red-shirt" account. If your have users who are GroupWise external entities (the ones with green shirts), they will not be able to participate as GroupWise Messenger users. You must convert them to full eDirectory accounts in order for them to use GroupWise Messenger. Chapter 7, "GroupWise Utilities and Diagnostics," talks about how you can convert a GroupWise external entity into a full eDirectory user.

Configuration Files

The GroupWise Messenger agents have configuration files. However, many of the switches available in these configuration files can be modified through the ConsoleOne snap-ins. The most important switch for a GroupWise Messaging or Archive Agent is the one that tells it where in eDirectory its object exists. This is similar in function to the /Home switch on the GroupWise agents, but rather than pointing to a domain or post office database, it points to the eDirectory object that holds the configuration information for the agent.