Overview of Using SSL in Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging supports the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, for encrypted communications and for certificate-based authentication of Instant Messaging servers. Instant Messaging server supports SSL version 3.0.

Instant Messaging multiplexor and Instant Messenger also support SSL for encrypted communication between the client and the multiplexor.

Enabling SSL for Instant Messaging server requires the following:

1. Obtaining and installing a certificate for your Instant Messaging server, and configuring the Instant Messaging server to trust the Certification Authority’s certificate.

2. Ensuring that each Instant Messaging server that needs to communicate using SSL with your server, obtains and installs a certificate.

3. Turning on SSL in the server by setting the appropriate parameters in the iim.conf file.

Enabling SSL between the multiplexor and Instant Messenger requires the following:

1. Requesting a Certificate from the Certificate Authority.

2. Installing the Certificate.

3. Enabling SSL Between the Multiplexor and Instant Messenger.

4. Activating SSL for Server to Server Communication.

5. Invoking the Secure Version of Instant Messenger.

For more information about managing certificates, see the Web Server and Application Server product documentation at http://docs.sun.com.