Description
Instant messaging (IM) can be incorporated into other collaborative products such as portals, shared virtual workspaces and/or desktop web conferencing solutions. The Standalone IM Solution Pattern addresses standalone, ad hoc synchronous chats between internal users or between internal and external users. The pattern shows how internal users can make use of an internal IM service, or connect through the IM Gateway (when properly registered), to conduct IM sessions with external IM servers. The IM Gateway protects NIH from viruses, authenticates other users, prevents interception, and can also monitor for inappropriate usage.
Please view the Standalone Instant Messaging Pattern below:
Diagram
Benefits
- Protects NIH from viruses and other undesirable traffic, such as spam, by using the NIH IM Gateway
- Ensures users that their conversations are not intercepted by impersonators
- Allows a virtual “conversation” with multiple people
- Allows sending images or URLs while reducing email usage
- Provides quick communication between onsite and offsite users
- Provides quick communication between onsite users
Limitations
- NIH IM Gateway does not allow client software that is “reverse-engineered” from other client software such as AOL or MSN.
- The ability to provide history and accountability for interaction between users depends on the IM client/server chosen by the user (Note: some IM servers provide for the logging of conversations).
- Users may need to load additional IM clients in order to connect to users using different IM services.
Time Table
This architecture definition approved on:
January 25, 2006
The next review is scheduled in:
TBD
