iChat Server

Secure and affordable instant messaging for protected communications.
Mac OS X Server version 10.4 now includes iChat Server, a secure and affordable instant messaging service for organizations of all sizes. iChat Server eliminates the risk of traditional instant messaging services, which are not encrypted and can allow any message or file exchanged to be easily compromised. By deploying iChat Server within an organizations firewall, users enjoy a secure communications environment and can exchange messages, files, voice, and video without the risk of third-party access. In addition to providing invaluable security, iChat Server makes this privacy both robust and affordable for companies with limited IT budgets. With no client access license fees, iChat Server easily scales as an organization expands. Additional users are simple to add and a single server can sustain the communication of up to several thousand users at no extra cost. During testing, iChat Server supported more than 200,000 user accounts sending over a million messages a day, with capacity to spare.

iChat Server at a Glance

iChat Server is configured to provide services to the organizations domain. Users are authenticated using the Open Directory server. iChat Server provides secure IM for Mac OS X iChat clients.
iChat Server also works with Jabber-based clients running on Windows, Linux, and PDAs. Files and URLs can be exchanged. Transcripts of chats can be saved for later use.
Technology Brief iChat Server
Straightforward Installation and Manageability iChat Server supplies administrators with a host of easy-to-use features that streamline manageability. Because iChat Server works seamlessly with Open Directory, an organizations established users and groups can be easily integrated. Existing users can be authenticated in Open Directory, so they can log in to iChat Server using their standard company name and password.
Jabber An open source instant messaging platform, Jabber is a secure, ad-free alternative to other IM services. Its use of streaming XML-based protocols and technologies enable any two Internet users to exchange messages, text, files, voice, and video in real time. More information is available at www.jabber.org.
Firmly rooted in the popular Jabber open source project, iChat Server enables organizations to use their own company name on the instant messaging interface. Leveraging the Jabber platform, iChat Server is compatible with Mac OS X iChat Server as well as Jabber clients available for Windows, Linux, and popular PDAs. Because of the standards-based iChat Server architecture, all instant messaging communication traveling through the server is confidential, even across mixed platforms. Encrypted data logs are available upon request, but are not generated automatically in order to protect user confidentiality. iChat Server includes support for multiuser chat, file transfers, and secure chat using Transport Layer Security (TLS). The Mac OS X iChat features that use point-to-point connections such as audio and video, as well as multiway audio and video iChat AV chats, are also supported, although traffic is not sent through the server.* Apple Server Solutions iChat is a secure, affordable, efficient instant messaging system built into Mac OS X Server, Apples powerful UNIX-based server operating system. Combining the latest open source technologies with legendary Mac ease of use, Mac OS X Server unleashes the performance of Xserve G5, Apples rack-optimized server hardware. With phenomenal processing power, massive storage capacity, high-bandwidth I/O, and built-in remote management tools, Xserve G5 running Mac OS X Server is an unparalleled server solution for businesses, schools, and research centers.
Open Directory Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server feature the standards-based Open Directory architecture, enabling centralized management of users, groups, and computers using any LDAP directory serveror even proprietary systems such as Active Directory. For organizations that have not deployed directory services, Mac OS X Server includes the Open Directory server, a robust, scalable LDAP solution with integrated Kerberos authentication.

For More Information

For more information about Mac OS X Server, Xserve, and other Apple Server solutions, visit www.apple.com/server.
*Chat traffic routed through point-to-point connections is not encrypted. 2005 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, and Xserve are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iChat is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Product specifications are subject to change without notice. This material is provided for information purposes only; Apple assumes no liability related to its use. August 2005 L310976A