HTTP Configuration |
The Web-browser and Programmatic interfaces to the NetRS both communicate with the receiver using an internal Apache Web Server. That server accepts requests and supplies responses using either HTTP or HTTPS protocols. The two protocols are similar although HTTPS encrypts the communication channel to prevent unauthorized users from watching your transactions.
By default, HTTP and HTTPS listen for requests using well known port numbers 80 and 443 respectively. In most situations these defaults are perfectly acceptable. Browsers and other tools that use the HTTP protocols automatically assume those two ports. However, there may be situations where the default ports are not usable or acceptable. For example, if a NetRS is behind a protective firewall, it may be necessary to use different port numbers in order to reach the NetRS. Or, in the interest of security, you might want to restrict all communications with the NetRS to the encrypted HTTPS protocol and disable the HTTP ports.
The HTTP configuration page allows you to adjust the web server port configuration to match the needs of your installation. Controls permit you to:
On the configuration page there are four control sections. Select the desired combination of Enables and Disables and enter the port numbers for alternate ports that you wish to use. Click the OK button to accept the new settings. A confirmation dialog box will query whether you are certain that you want to accept the new settings. Note that installing the new settings requires the internal web server to be restarted. It can take up a minute before the server can again accept requests.
Using the alternate ports requires altering the URL addresses entered into the browser. Here are four samples to show how this is done:
http://myNetRS.mydomain.com/ | A standard HTTP request to port 80. | |
http://myNetRS.mydomain.com:8080/ | An HTTP request to alternate port 8080. | |
https://myNetRS.mydomain.com/ | A standard HTTPS request to port 443. | |
https://myNetRS.mydomain.com:8443/ | An HTTPS request to alternate port 8443. |
WARNING Depending on your network configuration, it is possible to modify the HTTP settings such that you will be unable to communicate with the NetRS. Care should be taken to avoid this. At least one port must be enabled at all times, and that policy is enforced by the user interface. However, you could still switch the single active port to a value which would be inaccessible to you. For example, you might be operating through a firewall that blocks your chosen port. It is recommended that you enable alternate ports and test them BEFORE disabling the standard ports. If possible, leave the standard ports enabled as well.