HTTP is a strict request/reply protocol in which only the client may initiate a request. Because it is not possible for the AppServer to issue the askPing request to the client on this type of connection, the ServerASK protocol is not supported on connections between clients and AppServers using HTTP.

Due to this HTTP restriction, the ServerASK protocol may not be used on connections made through the AppServer Internet Adapter (AIA). However, because AIA acts as a proxy client for actual client applications, the ServerASK protocol can be used between AIA and the AppServer.

The ASK protocol does not support configurations that utilize Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) communications.