Information
Jabber is an instant messaging (IM) service based on a set of streaming XML protocols (RFC3920 & RFC3921). Refer to Jabber.org for more information.
This service is provided for ISI users only; that is, only users with valid ISI login/email accounts can access the ISI jabber service hosted at jabber.isi.edu.
Contact and support
Mailing List for questions and announcements:
- jabber-users@isi.edu
- Subscribe: Through web interface or Via email
- Archive: http://mailman.isi.edu/mailman/private/jabber-users
Administrator contact
Server Info
Instructions
The following instructions are specific to the ISI Jabber service. Terminology and examples are based on a couple of popular Jabber clients (Psi & Gaim), but should be similar on other clients.
Jabber ID and Account Registration
Your Jabber ID will be "USERNAME@jabber.isi.edu" where USERNAME is your ISI login name. Your password will be the same as your ISI login/email password.
Your jabber account will be created automatically when you access the service for the first time. There is no need to register your account. Every user is allowed one jabber account(*) , and you could not change either your Jabber ID nor your jabber password.
Jabber Client Software
You need a Jabber client software to use the jabber service. Most IM software also supports Jabber. Check the following link for an extensive list of client software:
http://www.jabber.org/software/clients.shtml
Gaim and Psi are popular among active Div7 users due to their cross-platform support. Exodus is another popular Windows-only client. But any client would work for the basic IM & group chat functionality. If you are already using an IM service such as AIM, MSN, or Yahoo, you might want to check if your current IM software also supports Jabber, or find a Jabber client that supports the IM service you already use. (Gaim supports almost all existing IM services.)
Account and Server Connection Parameters
Once the client software is installed, you need to add a jabber account to access the service.
Create or add an account on your jabber client application with the following parameters: (replace "USERNAME" with your ISI username)
- Jabber ID: USERNAME@jabber.isi.edu
Some clients separate the Jabber ID into two fields:
- Screen Name: USERNAME
- Server: jabber.isi.edu
Server:
- Server: jabber.isi.edu
Connection Settings
Because your ISI login and password are used, the server requires encrypted connection (SSL/TLS) to secure your login data. If neither SSL or TLS is selected, your connection will be rejected.
The following settings are required:
Select one of the following
- [x] Use TLS if available / STARTTLS (if the client applications support TLS such as Gaim)
- [x] Use SSL encryption / Force old SSL (Psi does not support TLS)
Also check
- [x] Allow Plaintext Login / Allow plaintext auth over unencrypted streams
Note that despite the description, your password is still protected by the SSL/TLS encryption selected above. It is the same protection and setting when you access your ISI emails through POP3 or IMAP4 with SSL.
Ports (for reference only, they are the same as the default on most clients):
- 5222: TLS (STARTTLS) or unencrypted
- 5223: SSL
Proxy Setup
This is only needed when you are behind a firewall that blocks the default jabber ports (5222/5223). It is currently unavailable at jabber.isi.edu. We are testing the proxy support to ensure the communication is still protected by SSL or TLS.
If you need to connect through a proxy, please use the open jabber servcie hosted at the Postel Center.
MUC - Multi-User Chat (Chatroom) Service
MUC services is enabled on jabber.isi.edu. Users could create chatrooms and invite other users to join.
To create or join a chatroom, use the following parameters:
- Server/Host: conference.jabber.isi.edu
- Room: (the name of the chatroom)
- Handle/Nickname: (the name you will appear in the room)
- Password: (blank)
Note that to create a chatroom, a user simply needs to join an unused room. You can also get a list of active or permanent rooms either through "Room List" menu or "Service Discovery" on your ISI account. Specify "conference.jabber.isi.edu" as the conference server when prompted. On service discovery, chatrooms are listed under
"ejabberd/mod_muc."
Notes
Psi Warning on Self-Signed Certificates
Because we use self-signed certificate on the server side for SSL/TLS encryption, some clients will generate warning message such as this:
"The jabber.isi.edu certificate failed the authenticity test. Reason: Certificate is self-signed."
This only means the certificate for jabber.isi.edu is not signed by any one of the commercial certificate authority.($199+ per year). You also get similar messages when connecting to ISI or USC email servers for the first time because those are also using self-signed certificates.
There are two ways to avoid the warning message:
(1) Under "Account Properties" => "Preference" tab: Check or select "Ignore SSL warnings".
(2) Download the certificate file from the following location and copy it to the Psi root certificate directory: http://www.isi.edu/div7/jabber/jabber.isi.edu.xml
Psi root certificate directory:
- FreeBSD: /usr/local/share/psi/certs
- Linux:
- Mac OSX: /Applications/Psi.app/Contents/Resources/certs
- Windows:
Open Jabber Service at Postel Center
There is also an open Jabber service hosted at the Postel Center for ISI users who want more jabber accounts or for non-ISI users you would like to invite. Note that the Jabber ID will be "PICK_YOUR_NAME@jabber.postel.org" instead of "@jabber.isi.edu". Refer to the following link for details: