NetMeeting 2.1 Resource Kit

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the Microsoft® Microsoft Internet Locator Server (ILS) and User Location Service (ULS). Read this chapter to gain a better understanding of directory server features and functions. Also, this chapter includes references to Microsoft documents that provide detailed information about setting up and implementing a directory server.

Overview

The ILS, an optional component of the Microsoft Internet Information Server, provides directory services that enable NetMeeting™ users to locate each other on the Internet or corporate intranets. These servers create a directory of NetMeeting users. From this directory, users can select participants for real-time conferencing and collaboration. The ILS product replaces ULS technology, which Microsoft originally developed for NetMeeting 1.0. ILS provides all of the same ULS functionality, as well as introducing advanced server technology not previously available. Users can benefit from enhanced features and functions, better performance, and higher scaleability to support more NetMeeting users.

Note The ILS is not required to use NetMeeting and connect with other users. You can connect directly with other people by typing their e-mail address in the NetMeeting Call window (although, you must log on to the ILS for this connection method to work.) Instead, the ILS simplifies the process of finding and connecting users by providing a directory listing of people who are running NetMeeting.

ULS Support

ULS technology supports NetMeeting 1.0, 2.0, and 2.1. Because the ILS is the preferred directory server for NetMeeting, Microsoft has discontinued ULS development. All ULS functionality, including the user location protocol (ULP) used in NetMeeting* *1.0, is supported in ILS.

The Internet Locator Server

The ILS offers a standards-based, dynamic directory solution to the user location problem on the Internet. It provides organizations with a directory server for NetMeeting users. Like the ULS, the ILS provides a memory-resident database for storing dynamic directory information. This database enables users to find dynamic information, such as an IP address, for people currently logged on to an Internet service or site. The ILS database maintains the entries, which clients refresh periodically. This process ensures that clients can always access the most current information about each user's Internet location.

The following features distinguish the ILS:

Support for industry standard protocols. The ILS provides both a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) interface for NetMeeting support, and a proprietary ULP interface for legacy support of NetMeeting 1.0. Through these built-in protocols, the ILS provides directory server support for NetMeeting. These interfaces allow NetMeeting to access the server for dynamic directory information and facilitate point-to-point Internet communication sessions.

Note The ULP interface is furnished only for compatibility with NetMeeting 1.0 and will be phased out in the future. Other clients can access ILS through the LDAP interface; see the Microsoft NetMeeting 2.1 Software Development Kit. All client applications should migrate to LDAP to access dynamic directory information.

Performance monitoring. The ILS supports Windows NT® Server administration features—including performance monitoring (Perfmon counters), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitoring, and event logs—to measure activity and system performance. Operators enjoy administration features, such as transaction logs that collect usage statistics, track messages and transactions, and allow administrators to examine usage patterns. These tools enable administrators to proactively monitor server performance and identify potential problems.

Stable, robust server capabilities. This standards-based Internet directory server was designed to provide stable, robust directory services. The ILS uses thread pooling and connection management to enable more efficient handling of system resources. ILS users will experience better performance, because the ILS uses binary data packets to optimize performance. Also, the server uses a spanning tree architecture to support many concurrent users in a single server configuration.

Customization through Active Server pages. With Active Server pages, administrators can combine HTML and scripting components to customize their ILS interface. They can create scripts to display a specific group of NetMeeting users currently online, enable user searches, and initiate real-time communication sessions with other users. For example, administrators can create "buddy pages" that limit the directory to a list of specific users that share a common interest.

Easy setup and administration. The ILS provides a graphical setup program so that you can install server components quickly and easily. Then, administrators can set options for user logon, security, and server access through the Microsoft Internet Service Manager.

Microsoft product support. Microsoft provides worldwide product support through the Microsoft Support Network. ILS users can choose from standard or priority support.

For More Information

For information about setting up and implementing an ILS, refer to the Microsoft Internet Locator Server Operations Guide, or to its companion, the Microsoft Internet Locator Service Operations Reference. Both documents are packaged with the product, or you can download the ILS and the accompanying documents from the Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting/ils/  .