What is XMPP?
XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol) is a widely used open standard for instant messaging, offering real-time, decentralized communication.
Why Choose Prosody as an XMPP Server?
Prosody is a lightweight and efficient XMPP server known for its easy configuration, extensibility, and low resource consumption. It is an excellent choice for self-hosted messaging solutions.
Key Features and Advantages of Prosody:
- Lightweight and efficient.
- Plugin-based modular architecture.
- Secure with TLS/SSL encryption.
- Active development and strong community support.
- Easy integration with third-party services.
Why Use Docker for XMPP?
Benefits of Docker:
- Ease of Deployment & Portability: Easily deploy Prosody across multiple environments.
- Isolation from Host System: Ensures security and reduces conflicts.
- Simplified Updates & Maintenance: Updates and backups are more manageable.
Minimum Server Requirements (Based on User Capacity)
| User Capacity | CPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (Up to 100 users) | 1 vCPU | 1GB | 10GB SSD |
| Medium (Up to 500 users) | 2 vCPU | 2GB | 20GB SSD |
| Large (Up to 1000+ users) | 4 vCPU | 4GB | 50GB SSD |
Step-by-Step Deployment
1. Choosing the Right OS
Use Debian 11 Minimal for stability and security.
2. Initial Server Setup & Firewall Configuration
apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt install ufw
ufw allow ssh
ufw allow 5222/tcp # XMPP client connection
ufw allow 5269/tcp # Server-to-server federation
ufw enable
3. Installing Docker & Docker-Compose
apt install -y docker.io docker-compose
systemctl enable --now docker
4. Writing the Docker-Compose File for Prosody
Create a docker-compose.yml file:
version: '3'
services:
prosody:
image: prosody/prosody:latest
container_name: prosody
restart: unless-stopped
ports:
- "5222:5222"
- "5269:5269"
volumes:
- ./data:/var/lib/prosody
- ./config:/etc/prosody
environment:
- XMPP_DOMAIN=example.com
5. Setting Up SSL (Let’s Encrypt) for Secure Connections
apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx
certbot certonly --standalone -d example.com
Modify prosody.cfg.lua to enable SSL:
ssl = {
key = "/etc/letsencrypt/live/example.com/privkey.pem";
certificate = "/etc/letsencrypt/live/example.com/fullchain.pem";
}
6. Running the Prosody Container and Verifying Logs
docker-compose up -d
Check logs:
docker logs -f prosody
User Management in Prosody
Creating Users
docker exec -it prosody prosodyctl adduser user@example.com
Managing Accounts
- Delete a user:
prosodyctl deluser user@example.com - Change password:
prosodyctl passwd user@example.com
Connecting to XMPP Server
Recommended XMPP Clients:
- Windows/macOS/Linux: Gajim, Dino, Pidgin.
- Android: Conversations, Blabber.
- iOS: Siskin IM, Monal.
Setting Up a User Account on a Client App
- Install an XMPP client.
- Add a new account:
user@example.com - Enter the password set earlier.
- Connect and start messaging!
Securing and Maintaining the XMPP Server
Auto-Renew SSL Certificates
crontab -e
Add:
0 0 * * * certbot renew --quiet
Keeping Prosody and Docker Up to Date
docker-compose pull && docker-compose up -d
Checking Logs and Debugging Issues
docker logs prosody
Scaling Up & Advanced Configurations
How to Scale the Server for More Users
- Upgrade CPU and RAM.
- Use a separate database for authentication.
Enabling Additional Prosody Modules
Modify prosody.cfg.lua:
modules_enabled = {
"muc"; -- Multi-user chat (group chat)
"mam"; -- Message archiving
"smacks"; -- Stream management
}
Setting Up an Admin Web Interface
Use Prosody Web Admin.
Final Thoughts
Deploying Prosody on Docker is a powerful and scalable solution for secure, private messaging. With SSL, firewall protection, and user-friendly clients, XMPP is an excellent alternative to proprietary services like WhatsApp or Signal.
Are you ready to take control of your own messaging platform? Deploy your Prosody server today!
