PQ70205; 4.0.2 - 4.0.5: WebSphere Application Server fails to handle POST reques
 Downloadable files
 
Abstract
WebSphere® Application Server fails to handle POST requests when the POST data is sent in time intervals greater that the connection timeout.
 
Download Description
PQ70205 resolves the following problem:

USERS AFFECTED:
WebSphere Application Server installations that receive http requests of type POST.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION:
WebSphere Application Server fails to handle POST requests when the POST data is sent in time intervals greater than the connection timeout. WebSphere needs to handle this situation and return the correct status code. The plug-in needs to be modified to limit the possibility of sending this type of request to the application server. The plug-in change was done as part of PQ70037. The interim fix for PQ70037 was incorporated in cumulative plug-in interim fix from March 7, 2003 and any future cumulative plug-in fix.

WebSphere returns a http status code of 500 when the connection times out during the reading of POST data. Per the HTTP specification, WebSphere should return an http status code of 408 to indicate a timeout versus an internal status error.

PROBLEM CONCLUSION:
Modified WebSphere Application Server's transport code to return the correct status code when the connection times out before the request can be sent to the Application Server.

We recommend to consider to increase default HTTP transport parameters of WebSphere Web container to prevent premature I/O & KeepAlive timeout of http requests, especially when Web server is remote and behind a firewall.

Each system is unique and has different optimum parameter settings. These are reasonable values for Web container settings:

  • MinThreadSize = MaxThreadSize = 50 (defaults are 25 and 50)
  • KeepAlive Timeout = 10 - 60 (default is 5)
  • I/O Timeout = 10 - 60 (default is 5)
  • Do not enable thread allocation beyond maximum (increase MinThreadSize and MaxThreadSize if needed)


General recommendation is to set I/O and KeepAlive timeout to the same or lower values as their corresponding parameters in Web server, such as Timeout & KeepAliveTimeout in IHS or Apache. Results of performance tests should show optimum parameters for HTTP transport of the Servlet Engine.

Notes:

  • PQ70205 REQUIRES the latest WebSphere Application Server plug-in fix, such as WAS_plug-in_03-07-2003_4.0.x_cumulative_eFix_<OS>.tar or later.
  • This interim fix MUST be applied to the application server
 
Prerequisites
WAS_plug-in_03-07-2003_4.0.x_cumulative_eFix_<OS>.tar
 
 
Installation instructions
Please review the readme fro detailed installation instructions
 
URL LANGUAGE SIZE(Bytes)
Readme US English 2793
 
Download package
What is DD?
DOWNLOAD RELEASE DATE LANGUAGE SIZE(Bytes) Download Options
PQ70205 2/12/2003 US English 912587 FTP DD
 
Technical support
1-800-IBM-SERV (US Calls only)
 
Problems (APARs) fixed
PQ70205
 
 


Document Information


Product categories: Software > Application Servers > Distributed Application & Web Servers > WebSphere Application Server > Servlet Engine/Web Container
Operating system(s): HP-UX
Software version: 4.0.5
Software edition:
Reference #: 4004449
IBM Group: Software Group
Modified date: Dec 16, 2004