Hypertext Transfer Protocol

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a set of rules for transferring and exchanging information (data, voice, images, and so on) on the World Wide Web. HTTP is based on a request-response model. An HTTP client initiates requests by establishing a TCP connection to a port on a remote host (port 80 by default). An HTTP server listening on that port waits for and then responds to the request; in many instances, the client is requesting a specific URL or IP address. Upon receiving a request, the destination server sends back the associated file or files and then closes the connection.

The web server in ExtremeXOS allows HTTP clients to access the switch on port 80 (by default) as well as the network login page without additional encryption or security measures. For information about secure HTTP transmission, including Secure Socket Layer (SSL), see Secure Socket Layer.

By default, HTTP is enabled on the switch.

Starting in Switch Engine 32.7.1, HTTPS is also enabled by default under certain conditions so that both HTTP and HTTPS are active and available for use. HTTPS is enabled in::
  • New switches with Switch Engine 32.7.1 installed.
  • Old switches that are not configured and are booting with Switch Engine 32.7.1 (the switch does not have a configuration file).
  • Old switches that are upgrading to Switch Engine 32.7.1 that have a configuration file where HTTPS is disabled and there is no switch key or certificate.

At the time that HTTPS is enabled, a new SSL key and self-signed certificate are automatically generated. with the following parameters:

  • Key length: 2048
  • Country-code: "US"
  • Org name: "Extreme Networks"
  • Common name: "*.extremenetworks.com"
  • State: "NC"
  • Locality: "Morrisville"
  • Org unit: "EXOS"

The show configuration command shows that HTTPS is enabled.

When upgrading to Switch Engine 32.7.1, HTTPS is not enabled when:

  • HTTPS is disabled and a switch key by itself is present
  • HTTPS is disabled and a certificate by itself is present
  • HTTPS is disabled and both a switch key and a certificate is present
  • HTTPS is enabled