How to bypass MSN Messenger port blocking?

[WhiskeyPapa]

Here's the deal, I am leasing office space at a radio station. They have offered free internet service included with the office. Unfortunately, they have blocked the ports used by MSN Messenger.

I use MSN Messenger to communicate with several clients and other contractors. It's our preferred method of communication.

Is it even possible to use MSN on other ports? It's unrealistic to expect the radio station to unblock MSN, since there was a reason they blocked it in the first place.

They are using a Sonic Wall firewall device. Is it possible to have those ports unblocked for my IP address only? I may be able to talk them into doing that.

I guess I want to use MSN Messenger, but don't want to make too many waves, since they are giving me the internet service for free.

[Jeffbx]

Yes, they can unblock MSN for individual IPs. Whether they'll agree to is a different story, but the ability is there.

[WhiskeyPapa]

If it's technically possible, they will. However, WHEN they will get around to doing it is another story...

[Jcranmer]

From doing some limited searches, I don't think the radio station is using blocking based on ports, since MSN uses 1863 by default and then switches to 80 if 1863 is blocked. If you can browse the web you should be able to use MSN.

I would imagine they are just blocking the server: messenger.hotmail.com
If that's the case it won't matter if you can make it use another port or not, as it has to contact that server to get logged in. (Once logged in all packets are client to client and bypass the server)

[ray]

temporary solution:

webmessenger.msn.com

[Memo]

As stated above, the CAN route porst directly to a specific IP address. Or maybe put you on a DMZ area of the network if they have one - no idea how it's set up.

If no, try meebo.com, great site for web based messaging.

[WhiskeyPapa]

I can't even use webmessenger.msn.com. It tries to load the page, then immediately goes to "Page Not Found".

Meebo.com works, but I'd rather not use that as a long term solution.

They use a contractor for IT work here. I think he may be in the building right now. I'll try to track him down.

[nickel]

Here's the deal, I am leasing office space at a radio station. They have offered free internet service included with the office. Unfortunately, they have blocked the ports used by MSN Messenger.

I use MSN Messenger to communicate with several clients and other contractors. It's our preferred method of communication.

Is it even possible to use MSN on other ports? It's unrealistic to expect the radio station to unblock MSN, since there was a reason they blocked it in the first place.

They are using a Sonic Wall firewall device. Is it possible to have those ports unblocked for my IP address only? I may be able to talk them into doing that.

I guess I want to use MSN Messenger, but don't want to make too many waves, since they are giving me the internet service for free.
i have no solution for you unfortunately, but i can offer a suggestion.
Google is soon going to be offering a chat through their email so there are no programs to download.

it will look like this:
http://mail.google.com/mail/help/images/chat_callout.gif

i've gotten out of IMing, but this i may take advantage of.

[IrishSS]

From doing some limited searches, I don't think the radio station is using blocking based on ports, since MSN uses 1863 by default and then switches to 80 if 1863 is blocked. If you can browse the web you should be able to use MSN.

I would imagine they are just blocking the server: messenger.hotmail.com
If that's the case it won't matter if you can make it use another port or not, as it has to contact that server to get logged in. (Once logged in all packets are client to client and bypass the server)

Aye... MSN uses port 80... we have a firewall here that blocks basically everything but port 80, and I use it fine... It takes a few seconds longer to connect, but hey, it works, can't complain.

[WhiskeyPapa]

I talked to their IT guy yesterday. He looks like he's all of 19 years old... Anyway, their Sonic Wall identified the Messenger traffic as a virus and/or spyware. He's researching how to allow Messenger without disabling whatever they have turned on. Apparently productivity is secondary to paranoid security here.

Thanks for the suggestions on the web alternatives. While they work, they are all missing one critical piece: the ability to alert me when someone tries to contact me. With a web-based client, I actually have to have the web page open and in the foreground to see if someone is talking to me.