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Re: [hybi] WebSockets

"Edward Z. Yang" <ezyang@MIT.EDU> Mon, 30 March 2009 23:05 UTC

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Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:06:30 -0400
From: "Edward Z. Yang" <ezyang@MIT.EDU>
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Subject: Re: [hybi] WebSockets
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Hello,

> - It must not be possible for the mechanism to be used to successfully
>   connect to existing servers and send them arbitrary commands. In
>   particular, SMTP, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP, POP, and similar protocols must be
>   safe from this.

I believe that modern browsers specifically block requests to ports that
are not normally used in web browsing on an ad hoc basis.  Given
WebSocket's handshake, I think this problem is equivalent to HTTP.

> I would be interested in any suggestions people may have along these
> lines. Are there existing protocols that satisfy these requirements? Are
> there requirements I have missed?

Plugins such as Flash and Java already allow sockets to programmers on a
limited basis.  Looking forwards, these languages will need client
libraries that implement the WebSocket protocol.  JavaScript will also
need an API designed for it.

Cheers,
Edward

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