Architecture

[Henry LaMuth]

I haven't been able to locate what I refer to as the physical
architure for Messenger...could't find out about it for Netmeeting,
either.

Physically, where do the server and routing programs reside? I am
never sure what is on my PC or what may be on a third party server. I
also can't find out about costs of the service...when MS provides
things for free they say so, but neither Messenger nor Netmeeting are
identied with any costs or costs of memberships, etc.

I want to get voice and video hookups to my family...four PCs
scattered around the midwest...so we can communicate over IP for only
the cost of having bought XPHome for all PCs, wideband connects
(cable) subscription costs, and headset and video camera costs. No
service costs and no extra hook up costs.

I was talked out of Netmeeting and it does look as if Messenger is the
way to go, but I am not happy with the dropped connections and
re-connect wait times I am reading about. That implies a central
routing server getting bogged down. So, what is the physical
architecture and where can I read more about it....and the logical
architecture, too, without all the techie jargon?

Thanks for any help.

Henry LaMuth