Every logged in user polling the server every 5 seconds, is just crazy.... especially when most of those requests are going to return empty results. Instant messaging needs to be implemented differently. Boonex needs to look at a long polling solution like Meteor.
http://meteorserver.org/
It will require a unique server setup, but just glancing through the docs, server setup looks quite simple. Obviously, not all hosting companies would be able or willing to do this, so a standard short see more polling IM should remain an option.
http://meteorserver.org/
It will require a unique server setup, but just glancing through the docs, server setup looks quite simple. Obviously, not all hosting companies would be able or willing to do this, so a standard short see more