Sun Java System Messaging Server

   FAQ
 

General Questions


Q:
What features are included in Sun Java System Messaging Server?
A:
This industry-leading messaging server is designed specifically to support large-scale service providers, as well as enterprises requiring highly scalable, carrier-class communication services. Sun Java System Messaging Server features include:
  • Extremely scalable server components
  • Open interfaces for client support and extensibility
  • AJAX Web 2.0 client that integrates messaging, calendaring, address book, and instant messaging services
  • "Push" email support for mobile devices
  • 2-way SMS support
  • Encrypted secure messaging
  • Foundation for unified and mobile communications
  • Proven, high performance message transfer agent (MTA)
  • Flexible delegated administration and virtual domain hosting
  • Seamless integration with LDAP-based Sun Java System Directory Server
  • Sophisticated anti-spam controls
  • Pluggable architecture for integrating third party anti-virus controls
  • Three modes of high availability support for Veritas and Sun Cluster
  • Robust content and attachment search through integration with the Java Indexing and Search Service

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Q:
Is there a specific customer environment in which Sun Java System Messaging Server will work best?
A:
Sun Java System Messaging Server provides a highly secure, robust and reliable Internet standards-based platform for hosting multiple corporate customers' critical messaging services. It is ideal for integrated service providers (ISPs), application service providers (ASPs), service providers, portals, and innovative enterprise customers looking for increased security and a low total cost of ownership (TCO). Messaging Server allows service provider customers to extend their messaging service infrastructure from basic customer hosting services to value-added messaging hosting services to corporate customers. In addition, Messaging Server targets portals and enterprise customers that are looking to build large Web-based communities that require highly-scalable Web-based clients with feature functionality to build out a collaborative environment.

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Q:
How does Sun Java System Messaging Server fit with other Sun Java System communications products?
A:
Sun Java System Messaging Server is a key component of the Sun Java System communications portfolio. It provides a communication foundation architected with native open Internet standards that allows telcos, service providers, portals, and innovative enterprises to deliver a wide variety of hosted, Web-based, wireless, and unified communication services.

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Q:
How does Sun Java System Messaging Server support Unified Messaging?
A:
Sun Java System Messaging Server is a key component to an extensible and scalable unified communications platform. It supports multiple data types - video, voice, text, and fax. Messaging Server contains several key unified messaging enhancements, including: Message Notification API, Privileged Store Access, Message Type Indicator, Guaranteed Message Deposit and High Performance Media Downloading. A third-party vendor is needed to integrate the telephony application for voice with Sun Java System Messaging Server to create Unified Communications; Sun partners include UTStarcom, Acision, Mobeon, and Lucent.

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Q:
Why is the Sun MTA considered to be one of the most proven, high performance MTAs available?
A:
Sun Java System Messaging Server is highly stable. Various versions have been deployed at large customer sites around the world for more than 20 years. In this time, it has proven to be one of the most flexible, powerful, and reliable MTAs available.

Sun Java System Messaging Server has multi-purpose functionality and is well-suited to a variety of circumstances. It can function as a backbone, gateway, and mail switch. The high-performance MTA engine utilizes a sophisticated modular channel architecture for handling a variety of data types, including email, fax, SMS, voice, and video. The flexible channel architecture gives service providers the ability to finely control the behavior of mail flow to and from different domains, allowing service providers to drive revenue by creating new classes of service for their customers. The multi-threaded design is optimized for maximum message throughput.

The MTA includes an open, interoperable design with an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows service providers or third-parties to create their own channels for service and content integration. Through the API, such channels have access to all the core functionality of the MTA.

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Q:
What is the relationship between iPlanet Messaging Server, Sun ONE Messaging Server and Sun Java System Messaging Server?
A:
iPlanet Messaging Server was the name used for version 5.0 to 5.2 of Sun's messaging server product. After iPlanet Messaging Server 5.2 was released, Sun rebranded the product to Sun ONE Messaging Server, so Sun ONE Messaging Server 5.2 is the same as iPlanet Messaging Server 5.2. In September 2003, Sun rebranded the product again, with the name Sun Java System Messaging Server. They are different versions of the same product, with different brand names.

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Q:
Do you support POP over SSL?
A:
Yes. This can be accomplished in several ways:
  • Use START TLS to talk to the POP server directly on the standard port 110
  • Use the alternate port 995 to establish an SSL session to the POP server
  • Use START TLS to talk to the MMP on the standard port 110
  • Use the alternate port 995 to establish an SSL session with the MMP

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Q:
Do you support the use of network attached storage as the message store?
A:
Yes. As of the Java Enterprise System Release 3 version, NAS is supported.

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Q:
Do you support the Blackberry as a client device?
A:
Yes, we do — through our partner Notify Technology.

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Q:
What is the benefit of hosted (aka virtual) domains?
A:
The multi tenancy or hosted domain capability allows a service provider to host several domains on the same server and delegate administrative rights to separate domain administrators for each domain. For example, a single server could host both CompanyX.com and CompanyZ.com, and allow an administrator at CompanyX's headquarters to administer the first domain, and an administrator at CompanyZ's headquarters to administer the second domain, securely and independently of each other.

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Q:
Is your server architected for security?
A:
Yes, it is. For instance:
  • The server uses counted strings and not NULL terminated buffers, for additional security against buffer overrun attacks.
  • Rather than use a few monolithic processes, Messaging Server uses a number of smaller, task-oriented processes for robustness against DOS and DDOS attacks.
  • Server processes do not run as root. While some of the servers must start as root in order to bind to TCP ports in the &quotprivileged" range, these servers then do a one-time change of effective and real UID and GID. They change to the identity specified at install time. For purposes of delivery to /var/mail/spool and running third-party software on the behalf of users (e.g., procmail), some programs setuid to root. These programs are started and stopped only when needed and they are not fed command line input, which comes from the outside world. They need to run as root so that they can set their UID and GID to that of the local (login) user for whom either the mail is being delivered (/var/mail/) or the filter is being run. (Only sysadmins can say what filtering programs can or cannot be run.) Note that the typical site running Java System Messaging Server does not use /var/mail.

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