Re: Redirection messages for proxy clients
Dave Kristol (dmk@bell-labs.com)
Wed, 06 Jan 1999 14:06:54 -0500
> I was wondering if it is possible to redirect a client (configured to use a
> proxy) to communicate directly with an origin server, thus, bypassing the
> proxy server. In other words, can we force this client to use a partial URL
> instead of a full URL. I doubt that a JavaScript program or a META tag can
> help in this case. I am still not clear if a "301 Moved Permanently" or "302
> Moved Temporarily" message could do the trick.
I think the answer in all cases is "No". Usually the client's
configuration determines whether a request uses a proxy. Typically all
requests go through a proxy except for those in the "No Proxy" list. I
believe Netscape has a proxy auto-configuration mechanism that can make
more sophisticated choices, but a random web page can't change that
configuration. A Java applet might be able to connect directly to the
origin server, but you wouldn't use that for a "regular" HTTP request.
Dave Kristol