i‑net CoWork
Text and Video Chat
with Full Data Control

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about i‑net CoWork. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our support team is available during business hours to answer your questions and help you solve any problems.

• What is i‑net CoWork?

  i‑net CoWork is a self-hosted platform by i-net software GmbH for team chat, voice and video calls, screen sharing, and meeting rooms. You run the server in your own environment, so chat and communication data stays on your server. Users work in the browser or in the installable PWA.

• Does every user have to install an application on their PC?

  No, i‑net CoWork only needs to be installed on a server. Using a current browser, any user can join without additional installation. There is also no user limit.

• Why is there no button for calls in channels?

  Calls (voice, video, screen sharing) only work if the server is accessed through a valid HTTPS connection. The "CoWork Calls" plugin is active by default; check whether it has been deactivated in your installation.

• Are there any restrictions on the number of participants in a video conference?

  The number of participants is not determined by a fixed limit, but by the performance of the central server and the individual download bandwidth of the users. i‑net CoWork relies on a central SFU architecture that enables efficient transmission of video and audio. If one participant has a poor connection, the quality of the transmission is automatically adjusted to ensure stable communication for everyone.

• Can external guests join meetings?

  Yes. With meeting rooms, you invite internal and external participants via a link; external guests do not need their own account. Guest accounts are created for them automatically and removed again at the end of the session, when they log out, or when the room is deleted. Expiry dates can be set for temporary meeting rooms.

• Can i‑net CoWork connect to Active Directory, LDAP, or single sign-on?

  Yes. i‑net CoWork supports single sign-on and integrates Active Directory, LDAP, and OAuth as authentication sources. A user can use multiple login providers for the same account. Two-factor authentication and passkeys are also available.

• How is data backed up and deleted?

  All chat and communication data is stored on your own server. The maintenance backup saves all messages, attachments, and team and channel settings and can run automatically. Messages deleted by users are removed from the database immediately; existing backups still contain them until they expire, and meeting rooms delete all messages and files when they are closed.

• What data do AI providers receive?

  AI and transcription features are optional. You choose the provider yourself, for example OpenAI, Gemini, or a locally hosted provider; transcription also works with your own OpenAI-compatible endpoint. You keep full data sovereignty with a locally hosted model. External providers receive the content sent for the respective feature, and their own terms apply.

• Can I test i‑net CoWork extensively before purchasing a license?

  Yes. During the initial setup after installing i‑net CoWork, our license server creates a trial license. It is valid for 90 days and provides enough time to extensively test all functions, even in larger organizations. In Docker, the container needs internet access for this; without internet access, please contact support.

• How is i‑net CoWork licensed?

  All licenses allow an unlimited number of users with no per-user costs. The Server license applies per server installation, Private and Public Cloud licenses apply per node, and the Site license allows any number of installations at one site. Each license is available as a yearly license with all updates during the license period or as a perpetual license with all updates for the purchased version. Production use in containers (Docker) requires a Site or Cloud license. You can find the prices in the pricing section.

• Do I need a separate license if I have already licensed another product from i‑net software GmbH?

  i‑net CoWork is a separately licensed product. With a valid i‑net HelpDesk license, i‑net CoWork is included at no additional cost and is part of the standard installation of i‑net HelpDesk. With other products from i‑net software GmbH, you need a separate i‑net CoWork license. Voice and video calls and meeting rooms are included in the product.

• What are the system requirements?

  The server runs on Windows, Linux, or macOS 13+ or as a Docker container and requires at least a dual-core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 5 GB of free disk space. HTTPS is required for calls and PWA installation; Let's Encrypt is integrated. Production use in Docker requires a Site or Cloud license. You can find the complete system requirements in the documentation.

• Who can I contact if I have a problem with installation, setup, or other questions about i‑net CoWork?

  Our professional support staff is available to help with any questions or issues related to the product. Feedback is also welcome and helps us to continue to develop i‑net CoWork. Simply write to us at cowork@inetsoftware.de with your concerns.

• How long will I get support?

  General support, including explanations and support for updates, is provided for up to 5 years. Our policies for supporting released versions are summarized on the version support page.

For more answers, please visit our FAQ. For a complete overview of all functions, see the features overview and the whitepaper.