No. I've successfully used iChat behind a very restrictive ( only HTTP allowed ) firewall. iChat will use the proxy settings to communicate over port 80/443. As long as you can use your browser you will be able to use iChat.
If the firewall you are using is on an external router like a Linksys or D-Link, Apple has no control over it. So it's up to you to set it up correctly so that iChat video can work over it. This usually involves opening the right ports. According to http://portforward.com/cports.htm that would be ports 5190,5220,5222,5298.
If you are behind a corporate firewall most likely these ports are blocked. I have used my MacBook with iChat from a friends house, from my house using a LinkSys router, from my house using an AirPort Extreme, from an Internet cafe and NEVER had to do anything with the router or system firewall to make it work . If iChat is not working for you then something else is failing and I suggest you go to an Apple Store and get some help.
5 comments so far
No. I've successfully used iChat behind a very restrictive ( only HTTP allowed ) firewall. iChat will use the proxy settings to communicate over port 80/443. As long as you can use your browser you will be able to use iChat.
1 year, 1 month ago by khurt
I'm talking about video calls. They are the ones that requires incoming connections.
1 year, 1 month ago by thebrave
If the firewall you are using is on an external router like a Linksys or D-Link, Apple has no control over it. So it's up to you to set it up correctly so that iChat video can work over it. This usually involves opening the right ports. According to http://portforward.com/cports.htm that would be ports 5190,5220,5222,5298.
1 year ago by clith
If you have the system firewall active, do you have to manually open those ports? Or is there some kind of wizard?
1 year ago by thebrave
If you are behind a corporate firewall most likely these ports are blocked. I have used my MacBook with iChat from a friends house, from my house using a LinkSys router, from my house using an AirPort Extreme, from an Internet cafe and NEVER had to do anything with the router or system firewall to make it work . If iChat is not working for you then something else is failing and I suggest you go to an Apple Store and get some help.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1787
12 months ago by khurt