CONNECT

The CONNECT method is used to establish a tunnel to the server identified by the target resource. It is primarily used for setting up a network connection to a resource through a proxy server, often for SSL (HTTPS) connections.

Basic Syntax

CONNECT server.example.com:443 HTTP/1.1
Host: server.example.com:443

Key Characteristics

Not Safe: CONNECT requests can change the state of the server.
Not Idempotent: Multiple identical CONNECT requests may have different effects.
Not Cacheable: Responses to CONNECT requests are not typically cached.

Parameters

Headers: CONNECT requests can include headers to specify metadata.
Proxy-Authorization: Basic dXNlcjpwYXNzd29yZA==

Examples

Basic CONNECT Request
CONNECT server.example.com:443 HTTP/1.1 Host: server.example.com:443
This request establishes a tunnel to server.example.com on port 443.
CONNECT Request with Proxy Authorization
CONNECT server.example.com:443 HTTP/1.1 Host: server.example.com:443 Proxy-Authorization: Basic dXNlcjpwYXNzd29yZA==
This request establishes a tunnel to server.example.com on port 443 and includes a proxy authorization header.

Conclusion

The CONNECT method is essential for establishing a network tunnel through a proxy server, often used for HTTPS connections. Understanding its characteristics and how to use headers allows you to effectively manage secure connections and interact with web APIs.

Last modified: 05 December 2024