Spark as an alternative to Lync

[keithw7]

I'm trying to find a free messaging system that can integrate with AD and operates similar to Lync (minus the video). Anybody using Spark?

[FN-GM]

I'm trying to find a free messaging system that can integrate with AD and operates similar to Lync (minus the video). Anybody using Spark?

 

If you use EEES you dont need any Lync cals....

[cpjitservices]

We use spark with a jabber server - we have it with a custom logo and authenticates aginst AD... It signs in as soon as you've logged in.

[keithw7]

We use spark with a jabber server - we have it with a custom logo and authenticates aginst AD... It signs in as soon as you've logged in.

 

That sounds like what I'm looking for. How much administrative overhead to get it up and running?

[cpjitservices]

Not a lot, Openfire with Spark is what we use, so we setup openfire for AD Authentication, Spark connects to openfire and logs in using AD credentials. We then re-branded the Spark program and ticked and removed the auto-login box and dropped it into startup. It took a day to setup, it was about 3-4 months ago we set it up & got it up & running and havent had to login to the Web GUI since.

 

Also just to mention... We have openfire in a VM running CentOS.

[Norphy]

There's a hell of a lot more to Lync than the messenger client but if that's all you want from it, OpenFire as a server and a Jabber client of your choice is a good a system as any other. Personally, I prefer Swift to Spark as it's not Java.

[tj2419]

If you use EEES you dont need any Lync cals....

 

Do you just have to have any EES agreement to get it free? Or is there a certain one you need? Thanks