Despite its name, the specifications for the protocol remain proprietary. AOL has gone to great lengths to keep competitors (namely Microsoft, XMPP, and Cerulean Studios) from implementing compatible clients for their proprietary messaging systems.[1][2] In 2002, AOL signed a contract with Apple, Inc., allowing them to use OSCAR (as well as AOL's own code libraries) in their iChat application. This allowed iChat users to interact with ICQ and AIM users directly. The deal also permitted users of Apple's .Mac service to log in to the AIM network using their .Mac email addresses. (This has carried over to Apple's MobileMe service.)
As of 2009[update], large parts of the protocol had been reverse-engineered and implemented by a number of third-party clients.
The OSCAR protocol can be used separately from AOL's network. In fact, AOL expands on the general concept of OSCAR, adding systems for service-side buddy lists and icons, as well as features for file transfers using Bonjour.
On March 6, 2006, AOL released the AIM SDK and launched a developer website, allowing developers to build plugins for AIM Triton, and build their own custom clients, which connect over the OSCAR protocol. They had not, at that point, however, released any information about the protocol itself.
On March 5, 2008, AOL released portions of the OSCAR protocol documentation. Google also provided the ability to sign in to AIM network via the Google Talk client built into Gmail.
All packets sent over OSCAR are encapsulated in the same manner. All 16-bit integers sent over the network are unsigned, and big endian (see Endianness.) This is the same for 32-bit integers, and 8-bit integers (or bytes.)
FLAP header
A special Frame Layer Protocol (FLAP[3]) container encloses every packet. It carries information about packet size, channel, and its number in sequence.
Incremented by 1 each time a packet sent. Wraps to 0 after FFFF.
04
Data size
int16/2
Size does not include FLAP header
SNAC data
Within almost every packet sent over channel 2, packets contain a SNAC (Simple Network Atomic Communication). There is always either one or zero of these contained in a packet, and therefore they do not contain (nor do they need to) a length.
TOC2 protocol, as of 2009[update], the most current version of the TOC protocol
References
^"AOL blocks Trillian IM access • The Register". The Register.
^. Archived from the original on 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
^ . AOL Developer Network. AOL. 2008-03-05. Archived from the original on 2008-03-08. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
External links
- No longer available (12.07.2010)
UnOfficial AIM/OSCAR Protocol Specification
February 13, 2023
oscar, protocol, oscar, open, system, communication, realtime, proprietary, instant, messaging, presence, information, protocol, used, instant, messaging, system, despite, name, specifications, protocol, remain, proprietary, gone, great, lengths, keep, competi. OSCAR Open System for CommunicAtion in Realtime is AOL s proprietary instant messaging and presence information protocol It was used by AOL s AIM instant messaging system and ICQ Despite its name the specifications for the protocol remain proprietary AOL has gone to great lengths to keep competitors namely Microsoft XMPP and Cerulean Studios from implementing compatible clients for their proprietary messaging systems 1 2 In 2002 AOL signed a contract with Apple Inc allowing them to use OSCAR as well as AOL s own code libraries in their iChat application This allowed iChat users to interact with ICQ and AIM users directly The deal also permitted users of Apple s Mac service to log in to the AIM network using their Mac email addresses This has carried over to Apple s MobileMe service As of 2009 update large parts of the protocol had been reverse engineered and implemented by a number of third party clients The OSCAR protocol can be used separately from AOL s network In fact AOL expands on the general concept of OSCAR adding systems for service side buddy lists and icons as well as features for file transfers using Bonjour On March 6 2006 AOL released the AIM SDK and launched a developer website allowing developers to build plugins for AIM Triton and build their own custom clients which connect over the OSCAR protocol They had not at that point however released any information about the protocol itself On March 5 2008 AOL released portions of the OSCAR protocol documentation Google also provided the ability to sign in to AIM network via the Google Talk client built into Gmail Contents 1 Packet structure 1 1 FLAP header 1 2 SNAC data 2 Implementations 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksPacket structure EditAll packets sent over OSCAR are encapsulated in the same manner All 16 bit integers sent over the network are unsigned and big endian see Endianness This is the same for 32 bit integers and 8 bit integers or bytes FLAP header Edit A special Frame Layer Protocol FLAP 3 container encloses every packet It carries information about packet size channel and its number in sequence Offset hex Field Type Size in bytes Remarks00 FLAP ID byte 1 Always contains 2A It is mark of packet start 01 Channel byte 1 1 login 2 SNAC layer 3 error 4 disconnect02 Number in sequence int16 2 Incremented by 1 each time a packet sent Wraps to 0 after FFFF 04 Data size int16 2 Size does not include FLAP headerSNAC data Edit Within almost every packet sent over channel 2 packets contain a SNAC Simple Network Atomic Communication There is always either one or zero of these contained in a packet and therefore they do not contain nor do they need to a length Offset hex Field Type Size in bytes Remarks00 Foodgroup int16 2 The general type of the packet02 Type int16 2 The specific type of the packet04 Flags int16 206 Request ID int32 4 A request ID this can be random but clients cannot send this with the Highest Order Bit set Implementations EditProgramminglanguage ImplementationsC libpurpleGnomeICUC NOscarC QOscar Qt C 2 0 OscarLibJava joscarInstant Messenger Lib daimObjective C LibOrangeOCaml mlOscarPython TwistedWordsPerl Net OSCARPHP WebIcqProSee also EditComparison of instant messaging clients Comparison of instant messaging protocols TOC protocol AOL s free but deprecated messaging protocol TOC2 protocol as of 2009 update the most current version of the TOC protocolReferences Edit AOL blocks Trillian IM access The Register The Register AOL vs Trillian continues News Geek com Archived from the original on 2016 09 18 Retrieved 2018 02 05 FLAP Frame Layer Protocol AOL Developer Network AOL 2008 03 05 Archived from the original on 2008 03 08 Retrieved 2009 11 01 External links EditOfficial OSCAR Documentation Requires Login No longer available 12 07 2010 UnOfficial AIM OSCAR Protocol Specification Archived Official Documentation FAIM FAIM AIM OSCAR Protocol Specification Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title OSCAR protocol amp oldid 1135451254, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
