Windows Messenger Service
One of the odd features of SMB protocol is its ability to send text messages between computers. Although both the name and functionality are similar to that of Windows Messenger, the two are not the same. Windows Messenger (also called MSN Messenger) is an Internet-oriented instant messenging service, while Windows Messenger Service is an older and simpler LAN-oriented service. Using the Windows Messenger Service, messages can be addressed to users, individual computers, or entire workgroups on the network.
The WinPopup
tool (Winpopup.exe), shown in Figure 11-1, can be used on Windows 95/98/Me to send or
receive messages. WinPopup is a handy tool for sending messages.
However, to receive messages, it must already be running when the
message is sent from the remote system.
Figure 11-1. Sending a message from a Windows 95/98/Me system (left); receiving a message (right)
On Windows NT/2000/XP, the messenger service lets you receive messages without having an application already running; messages will automatically appear in a small dialog box on the screen when received, as shown in Figure 11-2.
Figure 11-2. Receiving a message on a Windows 2000 system
To send messages, it is necessary to use the net send command from a command-prompt window, like this:
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