Direct Implementation for CONNECT Adopters

Overview

CONNECT can be used as an out-of-the-box Direct implementation. The CONNECT ear can be built to include Direct functionality and configurations, primarily with the ability to poll existing mail servers for Direct messages to be processed and sent out or to be processed and delivered to it's final destination (typically an edge mailbox). CONNECT can still facilitate standard exchange messaging functions while polling for and processing Direct messages concurrently. This implementation guide provides instructions for setting up a mail server and a CONNECT instance to poll that mail server for Direct exchange.

Prerequisites For This Implementation Guide

• Knowledge of the basic Direct exchange work flow
• Knowledge of basic mail server administration
• Knowledge of basic CONNECT implementation

Requirements

• A mail server with a public IP and domain (the CONNECT team uses a total of 4 mail servers to implement the required layers of transport security and ease the processing burden on just one instance)
• A mail server certificate (our test implementation uses one Postfix certificate that is also referenced by our Dovecot instances)
• CONNECT 4.4 binary (including Direct) or later with network/IP access to the mail server
• A local certificate for the CONNECT gateway
• CONNECT 4.4 System Administration Module or later version (must be in sync with the running version of CONNECT)
• An email client with accounts set up for each edge system

Installing an email server for Direct exchange

Although the Direct project leverages the Apache James mail server and it's mailets API, the CONNECT team leverages Postfix and Dovecot.

Installing an email client

An email client is required for sending and viewing Direct messages. For our implementation testing, we use Sylpheed.

Setting up a CONNECT Direct mail server poller

Setting up CONNECT Direct requires the same steps as setting up a standard CONNECT gateway with a few additional configurations. We have provided instructions for setting up a CONNECT Direct Mail Poller.

Creating Direct Anchors

Direct anchors are used for authenticating and authorizing Direct message exchange. We have provide instructions on creating Direct Anchors.

Configuring Direct With the System Administration Module

There are three ways to import an exchange partner's Direct anchor - as a "stand alone" anchor, into a trust store or as part of a trust bundle. We have provided instructions for configuring Direct Trust with the System Administration Module.

Sending and Receiving Direct messages

After the mail server, client and mail poller has been set up, implementers can begin sending and receiving Direct Messages.