Communications Suite Through Portal Server

Now that you have created a few user accounts and have added data to these accounts, you can see the possibilities offered by Sun Java Communications Suite. The main accounts are duncan, kathy, robert, and tina. For most of the evaluation, you are logged in as duncan.

Sun Java System Portal Server is not a core component of Sun Java Communications Suite but it is a logical place to view the aggregated services provided by Sun Java Communications Suite. The Portal Server desktop puts all of the content into a single view separated into channels or portlets. In addition, Sun Java System Access Manager provides single sign-on and the access layer responsible for role and policy-based access control, which is evident in the Instant Messaging exercises.

This section uses the Portal Server desktop to view the Communications Suite channels to start the Communications Express UI.

To Start the Portal Server Desktop and Launch Communications Express

Steps

1. Start a web browser.

   For this demo, use Internet Explorer.

2. Type the URL of the Portal Server desktop in your browser.

   http://hostname/portal/dt

   For example, http://wireless.map.beta.com/portal/dt.

3. When the Portal Server desktop appears, use the Log In portlet to log in as duncan with password demo.

   The desktop reappears with its various channels presenting information about Communications Suite services to which duncan has access.

   An Instant Messaging channel shows the status of online buddies and a Calendar channel shows outstanding events and tasks. A Mail channel and an Address Book channel are also present.

4. Launch the Calendar channel by clicking the Launch Calendar link.

   The Communications Express UI appears in a new browser window.

5. Continue with the Communications Express demo.