Whether you use the IntelliStream technology or not, WebClient requires downloading the application configuration file from a standard Internet-based server, either a Web server or a file server. (Note that WebClient can be configured to execute even if the configuration file server is not available. See Defining applications in WebClient Application Assembler for more information.)
You might host the application configuration file on a server you have already set up. For example, if you have already set up a Web server with the AppServer Internet Adapter (AIA), you might host the configuration file on this Web server. Or, if you have already set up a file server (and are working entirely within a corporate intranet and are using file sharing), you might host the configuration file on the file server.
After selecting a server, you describe the server to WebClient through the WebClient Application Assembler's Configuration File Locator Definition window at application-deployment time:
When WebClient downloads the application configuration file from its server, the download uses a communication protocol based on the server's type. If the application configuration file resides on a Web server, downloads can use either HTTP or HTTPS. HTTPS encrypts the download, which increases security. HTTP does not encrypt the download, but is somewhat faster.
If the application configuration file resides on a file server, downloads use the File protocol.
The URL you enter in the Application Assembler's Configuration File Locator window tells WebClient which protocol to use.
Note: Progress Software Corporation recommends that for access over the Web, you select a communication protocol that encrypts downloads. For more information, see DesigningSecurity
For more information on URLs and communication protocols, see OpenEdge Application Server: Administration.
