OS X Mountain Lion Server For Dummies

Instant Messaging, Conferencing, and More

Messages Server provides instant messaging, audio and video conferencing, and file transferring; it supports Mac, Windows, and Linux clients, as well as mobile phones. Messages works on a person-to-person basis and in multiuser situations.

Messages Server can also create persistent chat rooms, which let participants leave or log off. When they return, they can see everything that happened in their absence. Users can send chat messages to other users who are offline. Messages also acts as a kind of automatic note-taking service because users can generate chat transcripts. On the server, you can log chat text so that the administrator can read it or forward it to a group that needs it.

Chats aren’t just text, however. The server and clients support audio and video conferencing, using the built-in mics and video cameras of most Macs and iOS devices. You can also use Messages Server to broadcast a presentation or movie to Macs running the Messages application (OS X 10.8 and later).

Messages service is private and secure, using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. Users must have accounts in (and be authenticated by) the Open Directory domain, which means that they can use Messages services from any computer and still see their buddy lists, groups, and other information.

Mountain Lion Server’s Messages service is compatible with a number of instant-messaging servers and clients. Messages service is based on the open standard Extensible Messaging ...