Using iChat AV with a Mac OS X Server firewall

You can configure Mac OS X Server as a firewall between a local network (LAN) and the Internet. Some types of iChat traffic will not pass through the Mac OS X Server firewall in its default setting. You'll need to open additional ports.

iChat uses ports 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298, 5353, 5678, and 16384 through 16403. The list of ports used by Apple products shows this in greater detail, and you can also read about an optional setup that is more complex and offers greater security.

Use Server Admin to edit the preferences for the firewall. You can find instructions for creating advanced firewall rules in the Network Services guide, starting on page 51.