icM7

icM7 is a lightweight software application designed specifically for helping you communicate with other users on a local area network using straightforward actions. The utility includes a server and client version in order to establish a connection among peers connected to the same LAN.

Tweaks during installation

During the installation process, icM7 allows you to choose the type of package that you want to deploy on the target computer, namely server or client. The server mode is developed for administrators and in case you opt for this one, you need to set up a master password.

Working with the server

In order to gain access to the server console, you need to enter the correct master password and provide a name for the server.
The admin console sports a clean and simple design and embeds only a few configuration settings under the hood. In addition, you are allowed to start or stop the server and post messages on the server.

Client options

When you open the client version for the first time, icM7 lets you specify the username, connect/disconnect to/from the current server, and choose between an online or offline mode. Tests have shown that the tool carries out a task pretty quickly without eating up a lot of CPU and memory.

Bottom line

All things considered, icM7 is not one of the most rich-featured LAN applications on the market but it provides a simple software solution for helping you chat with peers connected to the same LAN. The intuitive suite of functions makes it suitable especially for less experienced users.