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	Linktivity WebDemo

Firewall Friendliness

« Browser Compatibility | Main | Setup - Installation »

The Linktivity WebDemo development team has implemented a three-tiered solution to overcome common firewall traversal problems that may occur while using web conferencing software. The Linktivity online support area contains a technically detailed article discussing this solution and offering connectivity troubleshooting tips. Generic technical background information is available in a Webopedia article about firewalls and in the HowStuffWorks article titled How FireWalls Work.

Review Overview
This review discusses the following aspects of firewall-related issues in Linktivity WebDemo:

Determining the connection mode

Traffic control station: ConnectionPoint

Conclusion

Determining the Connection Mode
When a user wants to initiate a connection to a WebDemo server for the first time, a Java applet performs a browser test to determine if the user's configuration meets the minimum WebDemo system requirements. This browser test usually takes several minutes to complete.

This system successfully passed the WebDemo browser test

The other goal of the browser test is to determine through which method a reliable and efficient connection to the WebDemo server may be established: TCP socket, Proxy or HTTP tunneling. Of these three options TCP and Proxy are the preferred connection methods: they are capable of maintaining a persistent connection between the WebDemo server and the client machine, hence requiring less bandwidth. It is important to note that the connection to the WebDemo server is established without requiring any technical knowledge or configuration by the end user.
HTTP tunneling is based on the fact that most outbound firewalls do allow workstations to open web sites. The tunneling means that all requests originating from the client computer are disguised as if they were trying to open a normal web site, circumventing the firewall protection.

Traffic Control Station: ConnectionPoint
ConnectionPoint is the name of the server application that handles all requests of any of the meeting attendees. It usually runs on port 443 of the WebDemo server, a port that is often used for secured web browsing. The ConnectionPoint is also responsible for securing all presentation connections.

Conclusion
Linktivity WebDemo offers an effective, transparent approach to cross firewall-related issues in web conferencing. Although several of the workstations used during the WebDemo review were secured behind hardware-based and software-based firewalls, none of the people using these workstations have been experiencing problems in setting up web conferencing meetings, either as presenter or participant.

« Browser Compatibility | Main | Setup - Installation »

Posted on June 20, 2003 at 10:18 PM

Updated on December 15, 2004 at 10:37 AM

Overview

Key Strengths

Weak Points

PowerPoint Presentation Facilities

Web Touring - Co-Browsing

Presence Awareness

Multi-Protocol IM

Text Chat

Audio Conferencing - VoIP