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Openfire only works when a user has logged on.  So we need to set it as a service.

If you do not have Windows Resource Tools Kit then you would have to download it.  It is free and available from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9D467A69-57FF-4AE7-96EE-B18C4790CFFD&displaylang=en and AnyServiceInstaller by Marceln from

 Now log into your Administrator account of your WHS either via Remote Desktop Connection, Advantage Admin Console Add-in or directly (Mouse, Keyboard and Monitor).  And install the Windows Resource Tools Kit. (more…)

After you installed the Openfire server, and you started it you cant either click on the “Launch Admin”

Or you can either on the WHS go to http://localhost:9090 or http://127.0.0.1:9090 but make sure that you have either disabled the advance security on Internet Explorer or have another browser installed such as Firefox.  If you are using any computer on the network go to http://whs:9090 or the IP assigned to the WHS in you network for example http://192.168.1.2:9090.

When you go to the above address the setup will start and you would have to select you language, then click the Continue button. (more…)

Having a chat or instant messaging (IM) server running on a Home or Small business network is some what a good idea, even if you are at work or school and other of your family is at home or even around the world.

The Chat server that I choose to install and run on my Windows Home Server has plug-ins that allow your clients/users to sign in using their mainstream accounts such as Yahoo, AOL and Windows Live (MSN).

The Chat/Instant Messaging Server/software that I choose is the Openfire from ignite realtime – Jive Software.  They also have a desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) and a Web-based client to allow users to login and chat.

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To allow Ventrilo server to allow outgoing and incoming connections to the WHS, you need to add the Ventrilo Server to Windows Firewall allow list, this will allow connections within your network.  To allow connections from outside you network, for example you have a game clan and prefer to host your own chat server, you need to open the said ports on your router/gateway.

To open the ports on your router/gateway you will need to go to the router/gateway admin site, in the table below is the addresses for the popular brands.

Enter the router/gateway admin address and log in using your username and password then go to “Port Forwarding” or “IP Forwarding” or “Service and Firewall Rules”, on this page you enter the IP address of you WHS that is running the Ventrilo Server as it is bad security for your computers and your network to open ports.

Say that your WHS has an IP address of 192.168.1.100 so enter that and then enter the port 3784 and have the type as TCP and UDP.

On some routers/gateways  you will need to add the 3784 as a Service with the Name and type.  Then add it in the Firewall Rules.  And to make sure that both inbound and outboard traffic is not restricted, select both TCP and UDP.

I have installed Ventrilo server onto my WHS ages ago and did not post a how to on this site.  The Ventrilo chat server works well.

Go to http://ventrilo.com/download.php and download the Server program for Windows, this is named “Windows i386 – 32bit (Version 3.0.3)”, this will be the Server, when you are here (if you have not already) download the client program that suits your computers on your network.

Login to your server via Remote Desktop Connection or directly.

Step by Step install guide

Double click on the .exe file of the Ventrilo server.

Click the “Next” button, on the installer.

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