IM test: How we did it

Product Test and Buyer's Guide This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing Webinar: Securing up network access Learn how token-based, one-time password authentication systems can help enterprises reduce business risk, better comply with regulations, are easy to manage and most importantly keep networks secure. Tune in to this webinar. Product Test and Buyer's Guide, 09/11/07 IM test: How we did it By Barry Nance In the Clear Choice Test of corporate IM platforms we evaluated each product's instant messaging capabilities, responsiveness, ease of use and ability to integrate with other IM products and protocols, such as AOL Instant Messenger. We wanted the products to integrate with Windows Active Directory and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. Archiving messages for auditing purposes was a key criterion. To gauge security, we measured each product's ability to identify and thwart the sending of malware to IM clients, and we tested the products' ability to securely identify and authenticate users appropriately. We tested each product's special features, as well as its VoIP and presence capabilities. We also looked for scalability, reliability, low network-resource consumption, ease of installation and documentation quality. Network World Buyer's Guides Find the right products for your enterprise - fast. With seven categories - security, storage, convergence and VoIP, network infrastructure, network applications, wireless and LAN/WAN management - you can quickly pinpoint the hardware or software you need. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features and make the best purchase decisions for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guides now. For more on how we did it, please click here.

TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: 1. Verizon smokes out another family 2. Vista’s IPv6: Not an easy upgrade 3. Engineers rescue aging satellites 4. Why do AdblockPlus users hate my kids? 5. Why .pdf spam went pffft 6. Open source proponents denounce MCPP 7. Microsoft buying RIM (Blackberry)? 8. Apple offers $100 refund to iPhone buyers 9. Judge strikes down part of Patriot Act 10. Cisco consumer move afoot, leaders suggest MOST DOWNLOADED PODCAST: Twisted Pair: Sleepless in the 'Twisted Lair'

Contact the author: Nance runs Network Testing Labs and is the author of Introduction to Networking, 4th Edition, and Client/Server LAN Programming. He can be reached at barryn@erols.com. This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing Webinar: Securing up network access Learn how token-based, one-time password authentication systems can help enterprises reduce business risk, better comply with regulations, are easy to manage and most importantly keep networks secure. Tune in to this webinar. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: security.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007