Bonjour ( formerly : Rendezvous ) - Apple's technology (and software module of the same name), used, in particular, in Zeroconf , and which is a protocol for automatic discovery of services used in OS X starting from version 10.2.
The Bonjour service is intended for use on local networks and uses information (records) in the domain name service ( DNS ) to find other computers , as well as other network devices (such as printers ) in the immediate network environment.
Currently, these are mainly shared bookmarks in Safari , shared printers connected to AirPort Express , AirPort Extreme , Time Capsule wireless base stations, accessibility for audio or video chat , access to shared photos in iPhoto and shared music in iTunes .
Bonjour technology is compatible with popular standard communications technologies, including Ethernet and AirPort ( 802.11 ).
Bonjour uses a standard, ubiquitous TCP / IP protocol stack for communication - the same protocol stack on which the Internet operates.
All technologies on which Bonjour technology is based are open.
Bonjour-based local area chat can be configured in Adium , Gajim , Pidgin , Trillian , Kopete , Miranda .