Live Communication Server w/no AD

[Microsoft]

hi

i'd really like to use LCS and messenger for my team, but our enterprise
hasn't gone to active directory yet. i have a 2003 server in stand-alone
mode that i would use for the LCS platform. could i install AD on this
system in order to use LCS? how would it be affected by the domain stuff
still used? can the two coexist? what are my options?

thanks

bill sutphin

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Bill,

LCS does require the use of an Active Directory -- you could add it to your server, but I'm
not quite sure how your enterprise would think of it (especially when it comes to buying CALs
for each user).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Jerry L]

Yes, technically you can do this. The AD you use for LCS can
be completely different than any other domain used in your
environment. When a user signs on to LCS via Windows
Messenger 5, they specify the server name and authentication
information specific to the AD, and not to the domain to which
their Windows client may be authenticating. If you run more
than one LCS server, then you will also require a Certificate
Server on the AD server.

Jonathans' points are valid however, in that you may have to
demonstrate to any enterprise personnel that you know what
you are doing, that there is a business case for it, and that you
have correctly accounted for all the licensing costs.