Install IP Messenger (Iptux) on Linux Ubuntu, CentOS, and Fedora

Last Updated on 3 weeks by Sachin G

LAN chat might seem old-school in today’s cloud-connected world, but for internal communication—especially in schools, small offices, or labs—there’s still huge value in fast, GUI-based tools that just work. That’s where Iptux, a Linux IPMsg clone, comes in.

IP Messenger (Iptux) is a lightweight, serverless LAN messaging application that facilitates instant communication and rapid file transfers within a local network environment. Operating over TCP/IP (UDP), it eliminates the need for a centralized server, making it ideal for internal organizational communication. For those unfamiliar, Iptux is a lightweight, peer-to-peer Linux LAN messenger that mimics the simplicity of Windows IPMsg. It requires no server setup, works over the local network, and supports file transfers.

These blog steps provide instructions for installing Iptux on various Linux distributions, including CentOS, RHEL, Fedora, and Ubuntu. It covers the necessary dependencies, compilation from source, and execution procedures to ensure a seamless setup across different systems.

What is Iptux and How Does It Work?

IP Messenger ( IPTUX)  is a pop-up application to chat which works within a Local Area Network ( LAN) , It is available for multiple platforms. This application works on TCP/IP (UDP ), and it is not dependent on the server machine means no server setup.It enables peer-to-peer communication over a local network chat, and it works out-of-the-box as long as the sender and receiver are on the same LAN and using Iptux.

Installing Iptux on Various Linux Distributions

One of the things I really appreciated during deployment is how simple it is to install across different distributions. Here’s how to install IP Messenger Iptux on your preferred system. Iptux is quite portable and it can be compiled from sources.

Iptux IP Messenger for Ubuntu – Step-by-Step Installation

On Ubuntu (and Debian-based systems), I usually install Iptux using:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install iptux

That’s it. The application gets added to your system menu, and once opened, it immediately starts scanning the LAN for other Iptux clients.

How to Install Iptux IP Messenger on CentOS, RHEL, and Fedora

Getting Iptux installed on CentOS, RHEL, and Fedora was a bit more involved. There’s no official repository that always carries it, so I had to compile it from source or rely on prebuilt RPMs when available. Here’s the approach I took for install Iptux on RHEL and Fedora Linux:

Here we are going to install packages, which will be needed on compilation of IP Messenger software and cloning of the git repositories. Run below yum command to install libraries.

sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install gtk2 gtk2-devel gcc make wget

Download and install from a trusted RPM source or GitHub. In some cases, I’ve used:

wget https://example.com/iptux.rpm
sudo rpm -ivh iptux.rpm

Or, compile manually (useful for Fedora systems):

git clone https://github.com/iptux-src/iptux.git
cd iptux
./configure
make
sudo make install

This worked for both download and install Iptux LAN chat on Fedora and CentOS/RHEL systems.

Using Iptux for LAN Communication

Once installed, Iptux acts as a GUI chat for Linux, with real-time notifications, user detection, and basic file transfer support. So, yes, Iptux supports file transfers like IPMsg, including drag-and-drop functionality.

On Fedora, after installation, I just launched the app, and it picked up nearby clients automatically. That’s how simple it is to use Iptux for LAN communication on Fedora or any other distro.

Alternatives to Iptux for Linux LAN Chat

Iptux is great, but it has its limits. If you’re looking for alternatives to Iptux for Linux LAN chat, consider:

• BeeBEEP – Fully cross-platform with encryption.
• LAN Messenger – Qt-based, but development is slow.
• Pidgin + Bonjour – Supports local discovery but lacks file transfer.

Still, for most of my projects, Iptux remains the go-to solution for quick, offline LAN-based messaging.

Sachin G

I’m Sachin Gupta — a freelance IT support specialist and founder of techtransit.org. I’m certified in Linux, Ansible, OpenShift (Red Hat), cPanel, and ITIL, with over 15 years of hands-on experience. I create beginner-friendly Linux tutorials, help with Ansible automation, and offer IT support on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and PeoplePerHour. Follow Tech Transit for practical tips, hosting guides, and real-world Linux expertise!

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