Chapter 1: Introduction

Jabber is an open source set of streaming XML protocols for messaging, such as Instant Messaging (IM) and remote system monitoring that allow real-time communication between two entities over the Internet via a proxy, known as the Jabber server.

Jabber community uses Jabber protocol to develop IM based applications. Jabber Software Foundation (JSF) manages the Jabber protocol. Jabber Inc markets commercial solutions developed using Jabber.

Features of Jabber

Jabber follows the client-server architecture and provides the following features:

• Open Protocols: Provides streaming XML protocols known as Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). The open-source community started Jabber. You can implement the Jabber protocols and may use any code license.

• XML Data Format: Supports XML, which is an integral part of Jabber. This makes Jabber flexible to transfer structured data.

• Standard-based addressing: Allows you to include new IM end users and identify individual entities. A Jabber server represents each end user as a different entity.

• Distributed network: Provides a client-server architecture similar to that of an e-mail. Jabber utilizes a distributed network of servers by using a common protocol to interact with clients and manage IM.

• Exchange Messages: Allows end users to send and receive instant messages in real-time environment. It provides both one-to-one chat and group chat.

• Roster: Maintains a server-side contact list called roster. An end user can manage the roster by creating groups and assigning contacts to these groups. End users can also update, add, and delete contact information from a roster.

• Presence: Sets indicators to inform whether or not an end user is present in the chat session.