When you log on to Instant Messaging for the first time, the logon process authenticates your connection by requiring your logon name and password, seeks the intranet or Internet connection, and then automatically logs you on. By default, after your initial log on, Exchange Instant Messaging starts when you turn on your computer and waits until you connect to the intranet or Internet, then logs you on. The service then opens the Instant Messaging window on your desktop so you can see who is online, send a message, or change your status. The act of logging on notifies an Instant Messaging home server (the user's home server) of the online status and provides this server with the user's client location (based on the client IP address) with which to route incoming Instant Messages. In addition, any contacts that have added the logged-on user to their contact list are notified by this server of the online status of the user.
Related Topics
How Online Status is Tracked How Instant Messages are Routed