Editing Instant messaging (section)

=== Technical ===
There are two ways to combine the many disparate protocols:
* Combine the many disparate protocols inside the IM ''[[client (computing)|client application]]''.
* Combine the many disparate protocols inside the IM ''server'' application. This approach moves the task of communicating with the other services to the server. Clients need not know or care about other IM protocols. For example, [[Live Communications Server 2005|LCS 2005]] Public IM Connectivity. This approach is popular in [[XMPP]] servers; however, the so-called transport projects suffer the same [[reverse engineering]] difficulties as any other project involved with closed protocols or formats.

Some approaches allow organizations to deploy their own, private instant messaging network by enabling them to restrict access to the [[Server (computing)|server]] (often with the IM network entirely behind their [[firewall (computing)|firewall]]) and administer user permissions. Other corporate messaging systems allow registered users to also connect from outside the corporation LAN, by using an encrypted, firewall-friendly, HTTPS-based protocol. Usually, a dedicated corporate IM server has several advantages, such as pre-populated contact lists, integrated authentication, and better security and privacy.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}