Sun Microsystems 5.1.1 manual About Http and Https, What’s in This Chapter

Chapter 1

Introducing the HTTPS eWay

Welcome to the Sun SeeBeyond eWay™ HTTPS Adapter User’s Guide. This document includes information about installing, configuring, and using the Sun Java Composite Application Platform Suite HTTPS eWay™ Adapter, referred to as the HTTPS eWay throughout this guide.

This chapter provides an overview of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and HTTP over Secure Socket Layer (SSL), better known as HTTPS. This chapter also introduces the HTTPS eWay.

What’s in This Chapter

ƒAbout HTTP and HTTPS on page 7

ƒAbout the HTTPS eWay on page 8

ƒWhat’s New in This Release on page 11

ƒAbout This Document on page 12

ƒRelated Documents on page 13

ƒSun Microsystems, Inc. Web Site on page 14

ƒDocumentation Feedback on page 14

1.1About HTTP and HTTPS

HTTP

HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) is the set of rules used for transferring files (text, graphic images, sound, and video) over the Web. When a user opens a Web browser, the user is indirectly making use of HTTP. HTTP is an application protocol that runs on top of the TCP/IP suite of protocols.

In addition to the files that it serves, every Web server contains an HTTP daemon—a program that waits for HTTP requests and handles them when they arrive. A Web browser is an HTTP client, sending requests to server machines. When the user enters a URL or clicks on a hypertext link, the browser builds an HTTP request and sends it to the IP address indicated by the URL. The HTTP daemon in the destination server machine receives the request and sends back the requested file or files associated with the request.

HTTPS eWay Adapter User’s Guide 7 Sun Microsystems, Inc.