If you looking for an alternative to public IM and VOIP services like Skype and want to create a private secure IM / VOIP network, this guide is for you.

This guide is intended as a relatively easy step by step guide to:

• Install and configure ignite realtime Openfire server.
• Install ignite realtime Spark IM client on Ubuntu. Also available for Windows and Mac OSX

Requirements:

• Ubuntu 12.04 or later installed machine to act as local IM server machine and one to act as IM client - the client computer can also be Windows or Mac OSX based as long as you install the relevant Spark client on these machines.

1. Install Java 6/7 JRE or JDK.

• On each computer you want to be part of your IM network require at least Java 6 JRE to be installed.
• Oracle / Sun Java 6 is no longer available in the Software Center as Oracle has changed the license to make it complicated to install and update on Ubuntu. 
• More information about Java on Ubuntu available here.
• The easiest way I have found is to install Java on Ubuntu is via the Web Upd8 PPA .
• First add the PPA. Open a Terminal Window and enter :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update

• A good idea to minimise any Java conflicts is to remove OpenJDK.  open a Terminal Window and enter :

sudo apt-get remove --purge openjdk*

• Then to install Oracle Java 6 version open a Terminal Window and enter :

sudo apt-get install oracle-java6-installer

• To install Oracle Java 7 version open a Terminal Window and enter :

sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

• Tip: Top check the Java version installed on your system open a terminal and enter :

java -version

2. Create new MySQL database for Openfire.

• You have several options for user authentication including LDAP, MtSQL or embeded DB.
• We will use the MySQL option and need to create a new database and user for Openfire to use.
• Log in to MySQL as root. Open the Terminal window and enter :

sudo mysql -u root -p

• Then enter the following to create the database and add user openfire. Replace openfirepasswrd with a new password :

mysql> CREATE DATABASE openfire CHARACTER SET='utf8';
mysql> CREATE USER 'openfire'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'openfirepasswrd';
mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON `openfire`.* TO 'openfire'@'localhost' WITH GRANT OPTION;
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> quit

3. Install Openfire.

• The latest Debian version of Openfire can be downloaded from ignite realtime download page. 
• Download Openfire 4.5.1 by opening a terminal window and enter   :

cd /tmp
wget -O openfire_4.5.1_all.deb https://www.igniterealtime.org/downloadServlet?filename=openfire/openfire_4.5.1_all.deb

• Then install openfire. Open a Terminal window and enter :

sudo dpkg -i openfire_4.5.1_all.deb

4. Open firewall ports for Openfire.

• You need to open some ports on your firewall for Openfire to work.
  • Port 9090 : for the web interface.
  • Port 9091 : for SSL web interface.
  • Port 5222 : the main port used for client/server communication by Openfire.
  • Port 7777 : used for file transfer.
  • Port 7443 : used for unsecured Http client connections.
  • Port 7070 : used for secure Http client connections.
  • Port 3478, 3479 : used by the STUN Servive for entities behind a NAT.
  • Complete port list used by Openfire available here.
• If you are using ufw firewall open a terminal and enter:

sudo ufw allow 9090/tcp
sudo ufw allow 9091/tcp
sudo ufw allow 5222/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7777/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7443/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7070/tcp
sudo ufw allow 3478/tcp
sudo ufw allow 3479/tcp 

5. Configure Openfire server with web admin console.

• The rest of the Openfire configuration will be done in the admin console.
• Replace mydomain below with your FQDN or IP address of your server.
• Open a browser and go to  :

http://mydomain:9090/setup/index.jsp

• You will be presented with the Openfire setup wizard. Follow the instructions. 
• When asked select Database Settings > Standard Connection 
• Make sure you enter the MySQL database hostname and database name in the Database URL line below - this is easily missed .

• When done you can login to the admin console with your openfire admin username and password  on :

http://mydomain:9090/index.jsp

• You can also login securely with SSL encryption enabled  on :

https://mydomain:9091/index.jsp

• Some very important settings to consider are found under Server > Server Settings > Registration Settings

• Then go to the User/Groups menu and add IM users.

6. Download and Install Spark IM client.

• IM / VOIP client software needs to be installed on all machines that you would like to connect with the Openfire server.
• You can install any IM client that uses the XMPP/Jabber protocol for example the excellent Pidgin available for Ubuntu, Windows, and OSX. This is a good choice for Ubuntu users as it is available from the Ubuntu Software Center and easy to install. One tip with installing Pidgin on Windows and OSX - Make sure that you select xmpp under the URI Handlers options in the installer. This option is disabled by default for some reason.
• Jitsi as Video, Voice and Chat client for use with an Openfire server is another choice and available for Ubuntu, Windows and Mac OSX.
• If you are looking for a iPhone / iPad app to use as client with an Openfire server - Monal or ChatSecure or are just perfect. they are free, have no ads and work well.
• The native cross plaform client for Openfire is Spark, with client software for Linux, Windows and Mac machines.
• To install Spark on Ubuntu download the latest Linux version from the website, or open a terminal and enter:

cd /tmp
wget -O spark_2.8.3.tar.gz https://www.igniterealtime.org/downloadServlet?filename=spark/spark_2_8_3.deb
tar -xvf spark_2.8.3.tar.gz
sudo mkdir /opt/spark
sudo mv Spark/* /opt/spark/

• You can run spark from the command line with :

/bin/bash /opt/spark/Spark

• Or if you want to create a Ubuntu Unity Desktop Launcher, create a desktop launcher file with :

sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/spark.desktop

• Then add the following information and save :

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Spark
Version=2.8.3
GenericName=Spark
X-GNOME-FullName=Spark
Comment=ignite realtime Spark IM client
Type=Application
Categories=Application;Utility;
Path=/opt/spark
Exec=/bin/bash Spark
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
Icon=/opt/spark/logo-spark.png
TargetEnvironment=Unity

• To add a logo to your Desktop launcher, open a terminal and enter:

cd /tmp
wget http://www.thefanclub.co.za/sites/default/files/images/howto/logo-spark_256x256.png
sudo mv logo-spark_256x256.png /opt/spark/logo-spark.png

• You will then be able to search for Spark in you unity dash and launch Spark.

• Finally log in with a valid Spark user and enter the server details.