How to get started with Groove

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It is REALLY easy to get started with Groove. Just go to the web, download the client, and you are good to go. You'll need a passport account to download the client, but other than that, anyone can try Groove.

The free download is valid for 60 days, during which you'll get 3 emails. First email is a thank you email and gives directions on how to get started. The two emails to follow are reminders of the trial ending and a prompt to convert trial to full license. The conversion process automatically connects you to the one year subscription to Office Live Groove 2007.

Note that it isn't possible to buy before you try on the web-- you've got to start with Trial. 

 

But the real reason I am writing...not only is it easy to start with the client, its easy to test out the Groove services as well. The Groove client automatically connects to the Relay service to enable cross firewall communicaitons, as well as to support disconnected users. You don't see Groove Server Manager, though, unless you try out Enterprise Services. If you are a volume license customer, you can get started with an evaluation of Groove Enterprise Services in under 10 minutes. This is a great follow on if you have already taken the time to evaluate the Groove client, and now you want to experience the administration features that support Groove in the enteprise.

Create your own Groove domain in 10 minutes. No servers to install.

  1. Start at the MVLS site: https://licensing.microsoft.com
  2. Select Groove Enterprise Services from the list of nw services on the right hand pane.
  3. Enter your Microsoft Volume Licensing Services (MVLS or VL) account information.
  4. When this is complete, an Enterprise Services domain creation wizard starts.
  5. Enter the following information:
    1. Administrator E-mail
      Domain Name
      Contact E-mail
      Private Key Password

When the wizard completes, the domain is created and you are redirected to a page that uses the URL of your new domain.

You can now create users and policies for your domain!

Note: To access your domain in the future, log in with your Passport identity. Once you have been authenticated, you are brought directly to your domain.

If you are ready to buy Enterprise Services, simply contact your LAR or VAR and request to purchase Groove Enterprise Services.

Enterprise Services are a great solution for smaller deployments of up to 500 users. (Read more about Enterprise Services and Groove Server here. Larger organizations should plan on bringing the Groove Servers in house. more on that later.

Link to this post: https://blogs.technet.com/groove/archive/2007/04/25/how-to-get-started-with-groove.aspx