LAN messenger

A LAN messenger is a chat system that transmits messages in the local network ( LAN ). Two or more users can chat using text messages. The users have to be connected to each other with a computer program , the data transfer takes place in the local network, an internet connection or a central server are not necessary ( P2P ). This makes LAN messengers particularly suitable for home networks. The following basic functions are typically offered by LAN messengers: Sending private messages, sending files , chat rooms and graphic smileys .

Using a LAN messenger instead of a normal instant messenger has certain advantages. For example, a LAN messenger runs within a company or private network, so only people inside the firewall can access the system. The data communication does not leave the local network (cannot be eavesdropped) and cannot be spammed from outside ( Darknet ).

history

Under Unix there is the talk command with which logged-in users can come into direct contact; the first version has existed on DEC - PDP-11 computer systems since the 1970s. The NTALK protocol used for this is also used by programs on other operating systems, e.g. B. TalkR and WinTalk under Windows. With the spread of Samba it was also possible to exchange text messages in heterogeneous networks; almost all Linux distributions today contain Samba packages.

The first LAN messenger for Microsoft Windows is WinPopup (based on the SMB / NetBIOS protocol). WinPopup is a simple utility that has been around since Windows 3.11 and can send short text messages. Messages are displayed as pop-up windows to the recipient (for example, it was used as a print notification in the 1990s). Windows NT has had its own messenger service that is compatible with WinPopup. Since the introduction of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, this service has been disabled by default.

With Apple's Bonjour protocol you can exchange messages in the LAN, it was introduced in Mac OS X in 2005 . Among other things, the multi -protocol messenger Pidgin has supported the Bonjour protocol since 2007.

See also

• List of LAN messengers
• Instant messaging
• Intelligence service
• Friend-to-friend

swell

1. ↑ http://osdir.com/ml/culture.internet.history/2002-12/msg00026.html Origin of 'talk' command
2. ↑ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/137143 WinPopup utility not supported in Windows NT
3. ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from March 19, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Rendezvous is changing to ... 
4. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from August 17, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Pidgin 2.0.2 Release Notes and Changelog