Chapter 25 -- Real-Time Collaboration

Chapter 25

About This Chapter

Classical e-mail systems transfer data in an asynchronous manner. Using a store and forward mechanism, messages are passed from clients to servers and between servers, until they finally reach their recipients. E-mail is convenient because the communication partners do not need to coordinate their activities. However, e-mail cannot cover the need for interactive communication in real time. A telephone conversation, for instance, is a classic example of real-time communication where all participants have to be on the line to exchange information.

Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server provides a comprehensive set of real-time communication services to give organizations the immediacy of the telephone with the functionality of messaging and collaboration. Instant messaging, for instance, allows users to have a dialogue with other users via small text messages that are posted immediately to the screen. Chat services can be used to support discussions or any other form of group communication. Chat is very popular on the Internet. Furthermore, Microsoft Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server may be deployed to schedule data and videoconferences.

This chapter addresses the features of Exchange 2000 Server for instant communication and real-time collaboration. Lesson 1 covers the architecture and implementation of Instant Messaging. Lesson 2 then illustrates how to use Exchange 2000 Server to create chat communities. Lesson 3 completes this chapter by briefly introducing Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server.

Before You Begin

To complete this chapter:

• Prepare your test environment according to the descriptions given in the "About This Book" section. It is assumed that you have followed the exercises of previous chapters.
• Have the Exchange 2000 Conferencing Server installation CD on hand if you want to provide conferencing capabilities in your organization.