Connecting the client through an HTTP connection

When a user starts the Sametime® Connect Client with the Direct connection using HTTP protocol preference, the client encases the standard Sametime protocol connection information within an HTTP request in a process known as HTTP tunneling. Use this preference in the absence of proxy servers to allow clients operating behind restrictive firewalls to connect to a Sametime Community server that is also available to Internet users.

Before you begin

A successful connection depends on these prerequisites.
  • The client's preferences for the server community must contain a valid Host server and Server community port. If the firewall allows HTTP Connections on port 80 and the client's firewall or network environment does not include an HTTP proxy server, change the port from the default of 1533 to 80.
  • If you are not using a multiplexer, the Sametime Community Server Connection Settings for Client Connections, as defined in the Sametime System Console, must match the Host server and Server community port specified in the client. The default port is 1533.
  • If you are using a multiplexer, the Sametime Community Server Connection Settings for HTTP Tunneled Client Connections, as defined in the Sametime System Console, must match the Host server and Server community port specified in the client. Clients can make HTTP-tunneled Connections on both ports 80 and 8082 by default. If the administrator allows HTTP tunneling on port 80 during the Sametime server installation, the Community Services multiplexer listens for HTTP-tunneled connections on port 80.
  • If the HTTP port is to be changed manually, so must the port be changed in the stconvservices.properties file. This is a limitation in that the server does not pull the port from the server document.

About this task

Procedure

  1. From the Sametime Connect Client client, click File > Preferences.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • To select this connection method for all server communities, click Server Communities. In the "Global connection settings" section, click Direct connection using HTTP protocol and click OK.
    • To select this connection method for only one server community, click Server Communities, select the server community name, and open the Connection tab. Deselect Use global connection settings, then click Direct connection using HTTP protocol and click OK. Click OK to close the Preferences window.

Results

When the Sametime Connect client starts, it attempts the more efficient direct connection through TCP/IP and if unsuccessful, attempts the HTTP-tunneled connection. This connection is the same as the Use my Internet Explorer HTTP settings preference who has an HTTP proxy server selected in Internet Explorer.