Exchange method and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and data processing systems for securely communicating between a web server system and a client browser system by associating a secure hypertext transfer protocol (e.g., SSL or https) with a first port number (e.g., port 80) that is normally associated with a non-secure hypertext transfer protocol (e.g., http), thereby allowing secure communications using the secure protocol even through a data communications channel (e.g., one that includes a firewall system) that would block attempts to use the secure hypertext transfer protocol in association with its normal port number (e.g., port 443).

1 ] A method for securely communicating with a server program using a secure hypertext transfer protocol which by default uses a first port number associated therewith, said method practiced in connection with a hypertext transfer protocol which defaults to the use of a second port number associated therewith, said method comprising: 
 (a) configuring the server program so that it listens for requests for secure hypertext transfer protocol sessions on the second port number rather than the first port number;    (b) receiving at the server program on the second port number a first data packet in a manner that is consistent with the secure hypertext transfer protocol, except that the request is received on the second port number rather than the first port number;    (c) outputting from the server program a response to the first data packet in a manner that is consistent with the secure hypertext transfer protocol, except that the request was received on the second port number rather than the first port number.    
     
     
         2 ] [c 1 ] The method of claim  1  wherein the secure hypertext transfer protocol is the https protocol and the hypertext transfer protocol is the http protocol.  
     
     
         3 ] [c 1 ] The method of claim  1  wherein the first port number is 443 and the second port number is 80.  
     
     
         4 ] [c 1 ] The method of claim  1  wherein, before the first data packet is received by the server program on the second port, it passes through a system that is configured in a manner that would block the first data packet if the first data packet were addressed to the first port.  
     
     
         5 ] [c 1 ] The method of claim  1  further comprising the following additional step: 
 after step (a), directing a client program to request information from the server program using a resource locator comprising an indication to use the secure hypertext transfer protocol and an indication to use the second port number.  
 
     
     
         6 ] [c 4 ] The method of claim  4  further comprising the following additional step: 
 after step (a), directing a client program to request information from the server program using a resource locator comprising an indication to use the secure hypertext transfer protocol and an indication to use the second port number.  
 
     
     
         7 ] [c 1  ] The method of claim  1  further comprising the following additional step: 
 after step (a), directing a client program to post information to the server program using a resource locator comprising an indication to use the secure hypertext transfer protocol and an indication to use the second port number.  
 
     
     
         8 ] [c 4 ] The method of claim  4  further comprising the following additional step: 
 after step (a), directing a client program to post information to the server program using a resource locator comprising an indication to use the secure hypertext transfer protocol and an indication to use the second port number.  
 
     
     
         9 ] [c 1  ] The method of claim  1  wherein at least one step is performed using the Internet.  
     
     
         10 ] A method for operating a web server system comprising: 
 (a) configuring the web server system to use port 80 for communications using a protocol selected from the group consisting of: secure socket layer, secure sockets layer, SSL, secure hypertext transfer protocol, and HTTPS;    (b) receiving at port 80 at the web server system a first data packet that is formatted in accordance with the protocol; and    (c) responding to the first data packet with a second data packet that is formatted in accordance with the protocol.    
     
     
         11 ] A web server system comprising: 
 (a) web server software configured to use port 80 for communications using a protocol selected from the group consisting of: secure socket layer, secure sockets layer, SSL, secure hypertext transfer protocol, and HTTPS;    (b) means for receiving at port 80 at the web server system a first data packet that is formatted in accordance with the protocol; and    (c) means for responding to the first data packet with a second data packet that is formatted in accordance with the protocol.