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Argonne National Laboratory

Instant Messaging with Jabber

Jabber is an open source, secure, ad-free alternative to consumer instant messaging (IM) services such AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo. Communication on this Jabber server is limited to Argonne employees, but you can use the service from home without VPN.

How to Use Jabber

Jabber Clients

Many Jabber clients are available, but Argonne recommends the following:

Desktops and Laptops

Mobile Devices

  • IOSIM+
    • The free version is ad supported.
    • IM+ Pro costs $4.99 and doesn’t have ads.
  • AndroidBeem
    • This ad-free, open-source, and community-supported app allows only one account to be logged in at a time.
    • It has off-the-record (OTR) capabilities, for private chat.
    • Configuration:
      1. Select Already have an Account.”
      2. Jabber ID is <Argonne username>.jabber.it.anl.gov
      3. Password is your ANL domain password.

If your preferred client is not listed above, please use the generic connection instructions below:

Server Name: jabber.it.anl.gov
Require SSL/TLS communication (port 5222)
Username is: <your ANL domain account username>@jabber.it.anl.gov
 (example: bob@jabber.it.anl.gov)
Password is: <your ANL domain account password>

Jabber Contact Lists

Jabber clients support the use of contact lists, but you must populate them with the handle or Jabber ID of the people you want to chat with.

To add a Jabber contact, enter the following information:

The people you add will receive a notification that you wish to add them as a contact. If they approve the request, you will be able to send messages to them.
 

Chat Rooms

Dynamic

You can set up a dynamic chat rooms by selecting New Chat…” in your chat client and adding multiple participants. Dynamic chat rooms close shortly after the last participant leaves the room. Dynamic chat rooms are the preferred method for multiparticipant chats.

Persistent

Persistent or static chat rooms can be set up to support groups or activities. Unlike dynamic chat rooms, persistent rooms are semi-permanent and must be created and destroyed by the Jabber service administrator. If you are interested in a persistent chat room, send your request to the Service Desk.
 

Additional Information