IMA News and Events

 

 

Internet Exchange Messaging Server Open API Provides Dynamic Tools for Developers

Hong Kong, October 22, 2001 - With the release of the Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5.1, International Messaging Associates (IMA) announces new tools to spark the interest of users and software developers. The latest messaging solution rolled out by IMA supports a C/C++ Message Queue Application Programming Interface (MQAPI). In order to benefit both users and software developers, IMA is also offering free 15-user permanent licenses for a limited time.

IEMS is an open-architecture, fully featured messaging system that conforms to Internet standards. It guaranties smooth and reliable transmission of messages over the Internet. At the heart of IEMS are a number of components working together to submit and retrieve messages to and from the Message Queue. By opening the MQAPI, third party developers are now given the tools to create new solutions that enhance functionality of the messaging server. The open MQAPI provides them with the essential tools that allow the creation of archiving agents, content filters, gateway modules, and more.

"This presents a significant opportunity for developers to create solutions that will immensely benefit the users", said IMA's President Tim Kehres. "Using this API, programmers can easily develop messaging applications that add new functionality and security", he added further.

Messages arriving to the IEMS MTA enter via various input channels, such as SMTP, Distribution Lists, gateways, and others. Messages submitted to these channels are placed in their respective input queues in the Message Queue Server. Once submitted, a lookup is performed to determine the address and the appropriate output channels needed so that the proper routing information can be created. Preprocessor operations such as virus scanning, spam checks and disclaimer insertion are then performed. The Open MQAPI provides software developers with the ability to develop additional preprocessor application modules.IMA designed the Attachment Removal Filter module as an example for IEMS5.1, and is releasing it as open source to demonstrate to developers how to effectively utilize the new API.

The Attachment Removal Filter Module of IEMS5.1 is a preprocessor plug-in capable of stripping messages of file attachments that are deemed to be undesirable, or potentially carrying viruses. The module checks the type of email attachment against file types that have been configured by the administrator. If the type is an unwelcome one, IEMS automatically deletes the attachment and sends a notification message to the postmaster. IEMS5.1 provides a user-friendly interface for systems administrators to configure filter parameters and choice of action. Both inbound and outbound messages could undergo the same address resolution, expansion and processing.

IEMS 5.1 is available in both the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. Support for HP-UX and Solaris will also be available by the end of this month.
IEMS5.1 can be downloaded at http://www.ima.com/download/free15user.html and up to 2,000 15-user licenses can be obtained free of charge from the online registration system at http://www.ima.com/purchase/15user.html. This special offer lasts until either November 30, 2001 or after 2,000 free licenses will have been issued, whichever comes first.

Please visit http://www.ima.com/promotions/free_15_user_promo.html for additional details obout this offer.

 

Internet Exchange Messaging Server ensures reliable anti-virus protection for Linux

Hong Kong, October 8, 2001 - Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5.1, a high-end, user-friendly messaging server, well known for its integrated outstanding anti-virus feature has been recently released by International Messaging Associates (IMA). Its anti-virus capability has been further enhanced through the addition of an Attachment Removal Filter Module and a Messaging Queue Open API. IEMS5.1 can run on a single machine or in a distributed environment. Its various modules can, separately, run on Windows and Linux platforms in a multi-platform environment.

Messaging experts view this as something unusual but highly recommended in today's multi-platform environments. IEMS5.1 virus detection and protection system consists of a multi-threaded Anti-virus Module, a Attachment Removal Filter Module, and a Message Queue Open API that further allows third party developers to build customized filter or gateway modules.

"The architecture of IEMS's anti-virus engine is designed precisely for cross-platform interoperability. One can run the Message Store Module and MTA Module on Linux platform and at the same time running third party anti-virus software of their choice on Windows platform in another machine, for example, Windows 98", IMA president Tim Kehres said.

It is apparent that there is no other messaging server that runs on Linux that can support Windows-based virus scanning software running on the Windows operating system. Until recently, the efforts of most anti-virus software developers have been focused to support Windows-based systems. But Linux, among other platforms, has been growing in recent years at a pace greater than Windows in the server market. However, the sophistication of Linux-based anti-virus software for email systems has not kept pace with those operating on a Windows environment.

IEMS5.1 addresses this disparity. It allows users to actually choose the best available virus scanning software if Linux platform is their choice for messaging server. It also provides users with the option to use a single anti-virus engine, or install several anti-virus applications complementing each other -- virtually creating a total, multi-layered anti-virus protection system in any environment.

IEMS 5.1 support for anti-virus engines includes Windows and Linux operable software, such as Sophos Anti-virus, MacAfee ViruScan, Norton Anti-Virus, F-Prot Professional Anti-Virus Package, and Gecad's Reliable Anti-Virus (RAV) Software.

The open source Attachment Removal Filter Module of IEMS5.1 contains a preprocessor plug-in library of pre-configured file name extensions and/or MIME types that are notorious for carrying viruses. The module checks the type of email attachment against the library. If the type is an unwelcome one, IEMS automatically deletes the attachment and sends a notification message to the postmaster. IEMS5.1 provides a user-friendly GUI that allows systems administrators to configure filter parameters as well as choice of action.

An open API to its preprocessor is also available in IEMS5.1 to give third party developers a platform for building archiving agents, content filters, and other customized filter or gateway modules according to the needs of their respective systems. In fact, IEMS5.1's Attachment Removal Filter Module is actually an open source module that was built using this new feature.

IEMS's Anti-virus Module can be run independently on a remote machine and made to function via the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) mechanism. This feature is useful in high traffic systems where it is necessary to run the anti-virus module on a dedicated remote machine to reduce CPU and file input/output loading of the pre-processor system.

IEMS5.1 can be downloaded at www.ima.com, and up to 2,000 15-user licenses can be obtained free of charge from the online registration system at http://www.ima.com/purchase/15user.html. This special offer will last until November 30, 2001.

IMA Offers Free 15-User Licenses For IEMS 5.1

Hong Kong, October 1, 2001 - Messaging software developer International Messaging Associates (IMA) has just released the latest in its top Messaging Solution - Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5.1. In an effort to introduce IEMS to a wider range of customers, while providing a high-end messaging solution that addresses the reliability needs of the global mainstream market, IMA is giving away 15-user licenses for free.

By offering free licenses, IEMS5.1 clearly brings the choice of platforms to the users themselves. IEMS5.1 is interoperable in Linux and Windows and will add support for Solaris and HP-UX by late-October. In fact, IMA officials have announced that IEMS5.2 due within the next 90 days will carry migration tools from Windows-based Microsoft Exchange to IEMS as well as Calendaring and Scheduling capabilities. These features will be made available as free upgrades for all users with current support contracts.

This means that government and enterprises planning to shift their messaging platform from Windows to Linux will be able to simply auto-migrate their MS Exchange mailboxes to IEMS. IMA developers say auto-migration will be a simple exercise, with sites experiencing minimal disruption in email services

With the 15-user free license, IEMS5.1 provides cost-free access to premium functionality unmatched for messaging software that run across multi-platforms. Only 2,000 licenses for the IEMS 5.1 15-user version will be available for copies downloaded from the IMA site until the end of November.

IEMS 5.1 is an enhancement of IEMS5 released early June this year. IEMS 5.1 has enhanced virus and spam detection control, adds an Attachment Removal Filter Module, and data encryption module to protect from unauthorized monitoring by third parties of messages passing through its system. Filter and gateway modules can be built and customized further according to customers' needs through its Open Message Queue API. The Attachment Removal Filter Module, which makes use of the new MQ API is being released as an open source module to help promote third party development of IEMS modules.

IMA will be sponsoring a USENET group dedicated to IEMS, where IMA customers can discuss support issues. Initially following the 5.1 release, IMA Technical Support staff will regularly monitor and contribute to this forum. The newsgroup name will be announced in the coming days on the IMA web site, and will be linked with the existing Internet Exchange Open Email Discussion forum. Full 24x7 Technical Support is accessible to customers who purchase standard IMA support contracts.

IEMS5.1 is a complete, stand-alone, open architecture-messaging server with components that can be run on a single machine or in a distributed environment. Having these features IEMS 5.1 can be scaled to fit the different needs of SOHOs, SMEs, and large enterprises and allow for a phased expansion of the system according to the organization's needs.

Gigabyte bundles IEMS5 in latest production servers

Hongkong, September 29, 2001 -- Server manufacturing giant Gigabyte Technology Ltd, also a key player in the global motherboard market, has finalized plans with software developer International Messaging Associates (IMA) to bundle IMA's latest Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5 with gigabyte's GA and GS series rackmount servers.

This was announced recently by Gigabyte's Director for Networking and Server Products Etay Lee. "The partnership will provide GS rackmount server users with the capability for a fully featured and functional messaging environment since IEMS 5 complements GS servers in speed, scalability, reliability, and performance.

Gigabyte produces close to 2,000 of its production servers monthly. This is aside from the servers they produce for other hardware OEMs such as Tatung, among others. Gigabyte carries both Linux and Windows as operating systems for their servers.

"Gigabyte is recognized for their server's compactness and high reliability which, in most ways, also complement the qualities of IEMS5 as a messaging solution", says IMA President Tim Kehres. Through this partnership, Kehres adds, we hope to widen the functionality of IEMS5 in response to the ever-expanding demands of businesses today.

The Internet Exchange Messaging Server version 5 (IEMS v5) is a complete, standalone, open architecture messaging solution and can be run as a distributed system, with different modules hosted on separate machines on the LAN. This allows for the simple and ordered expansion of the system as the organization grows, or messaging needs change over time. IEMS distributed system support, as well as extensive cross-platform support is unmatched in the industry.

IEMS5 complies with proven Internet standards while offering dependable mail storage, excellent migration support, directory services, advanced spam and virus detection and control, and interoperability among disparate email systems. It is supported under Windows 98, 2000, NT and major Linux distributions. It is easily scalable from configurations suitable to SOHO or SME environments up to large, distributed, corporate-size installations.

Meanwhile, Gigabyte's GS series are rackmount servers provide the best platform solutions for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), networking telecommunication, and space-constrained corporate data centers. Although each of these servers has its own unique features, all of which have been proven reliable, scalable, easy-to-administer, and cost-effective.

IMA Partners with DynIP

Hong Kong, July 25,2001. International Messaging Associates (IMA) and DynIP, an Internet Dynamic Name service provider, enter into a partnership agreement to provide messaging solutions to organizations connected via broadband or dialup. This permits smaller organizations without their own private Internet IP addresses to now enjoy the benefits of running Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5.

This partnership is targeted to benefit people with changing Internet addresses. With the DynIP service, small organizations and home users are provided a service where the advertised IP address for their name is updated as their address assignments change. The DynIP client allows the users to utilize any type of Internet connection to use this service, including dial-up service, cable-modem, ADSL, ISDN, wireless or LAN connection. DynIP enables the client to host their own web site, e-mail server, FTP site and more at their own location even if they have a dynamically provided IP address. This gives organizations the opportunity to enjoy the full feature benefits of IEMS 5, an industrial strength product, without requiring a static IP. This development provides organizations the ability to increase their Internet productivity and manage their computing resources while minimizing costs.

The IEMS Message Store allows users to access their e-mail anytime, anywhere through any POP3 or IMAP4 capable clients or through an Internet browser using the Web Mail Client. The Distribution List Manager allows users to automatically send messages to numerous lists of recipients by just sending to a single group address. IEMS also includes anti-spam and anti-virus engines, providing protection against threats of spamming and virus attacks. IEMS can also run in a distributed environment allowing computing capacity and resources to be distributed access different networked machines. This is very important for companies that are concerned with maximizing the efficiency of processing while maintaining limited number of machines.

IEMS 5 is now available for downloading and free evaluation through the IMA website at http://www.ima.com while a free 30-day trial of the DynIP client is available for downloading through the DynIP website at http://www.dynip.com

 

IMA Offers Free cc:Mail Connector Licenses for Trouble-free Migration

Hong Kong, July 18,2001. Life beyond cc:Mail just got brighter for more than 14 Million orphaned users. Messaging software developer International Messaging Associates (IMA) offers free cc:Mail connector licenses with its latest product, the Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5. Free connector licenses will be given for every message store license purchased, including the initial 25 free accounts. The cc:Mail connector is now provided for free with every IEMS copy.

IEMS5's message store affords cc:Mail users to extend the capability to browse and operate their email not only through the usual cc:Mail Client, but also through IMAP/POP3 clients such as Outlook, Eudora, and others while giving them sufficient time for transitioning uses to the new system. This gives cc:Mail users negligible disruption in their email operations while under online migration to IEMS5.

"By continuing the use of their cc:Mail client, cc:Mail users shall still retain and enjoy the full use of their email while their respective systems administrators start tests and online migration to IEMS5's Message Store. This will allow the users to access their e-mail using any web browser," IMA President Tim Kehres said.

"In addition, since IEMS can be installed without closing down the cc:Mail Post Office, there will be less migration-related disruption in messaging operations and more benefits to be enjoyed from IEMS5," Kehres added.

Apparently, the impact goes beyond convenience as IEMS5 also offers savings in migration costs. "cc:Mail users will have to face the fact that migration will come sooner or later," Kehres said. "We sincerely believe that IEMS5 is a more cost-effective alternative than spending for completely new server systems and user mailboxes," he said.

The free cc:Mail connector comes with every purchase of IEMS5, which is available at the special promotional price of $795 through the end of July. This includes a 25-user message store and a one-year 24x7 support which will prove valuable when migrating into the new system. Additional user licenses are available to support companies with larger user base.

IEMS5 currently runs on most Windows platforms, including 98, NT, and 2000, as well as most of the popular Linux distributions, including Red Hat, Mandrake, Turbolinux, Caldera, SuSE, and VALinux.

 

IMA Partners with Dynamic DNS Providers

Hong Kong, July 10,2001. Software developer International Messaging Associates (IMA) announces its partnership with TZO, a dynamic DNS provider. This partnership provides significant opportunities for smaller organizations and home users (SOHO) to enjoy the full features and benefits of IMA's latest product, the Internet Exchange Messaging Server (IEMS) 5.

The IMA-TZO partnership signals the availability of the IEMS 5, an industrial strength messaging product, for smaller companies' use. The TZO service allows Internet users maintaining a dynamic IP address to run a complete e-mail server. Since many small to medium sized business are finding that having an in-house e-mail system is both more convenient and cost-effective than having email hosted by the ISP, this partnership comes as a timely solution for this concern. With the dynamic DNS service, it is now possible to run Internet mail servers associated with a customer domain name, while maintaining a dynamic IP address.

Full IEMS functionality provides these companies with a reliable and efficient message handling solution. Through the IEMS dial-up scheduler, the server automatically connects to the ISP at pre-determined times, synchronizing with the TZO dynamic IP service, which provides the real time naming service for the customer's domain. Once the customer's domain is available through the TZO dynamic name service, the mail server can be contacted from any other site on the Internet just as if it had a statically allocated address.

The IEMS Message Store allows users to access their e-mail anytime, anywhere through any POP3 or IMAP4 capable clients or through an Internet browser using the Web Mail Client. The Distribution List Manager allows users to automatically send messages to numerous lists of recipients by just sending to a single group address. IEMS also includes anti-spam and anti-virus engines, providing protection against threats of spamming and virus attacks. IEMS can also run in a distributed environment allowing computing capacity and resources to be distributed access different networked machines. This is very important for companies that are concerned with maximizing the efficiency of processing while maintaining limited number of machines.

IEMS 5 is now available for downloading and evaluation through the IMA website at http://www.ima.com