sockets - Will html5 websockets be crippled by firewalls?

Question

I'm extremely excited about html5's websockets spec but I have a concern.

These days everyone is operating off of some network, with routers (wired/wireless) that have built in firewalls, windows has a built in firewall too.

With that in mind when the server attempts to connect back to the browser that started the websocket handshake will it fail for the vast majority of users? (most people have no idea how to set up port forwarding on their routers)

Or is my thinking incorrect and it will go through fine?

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1967943/will-html5-websockets-be-crippled-by-firewalls

Answer 1

I'm not an expert (so please check to confirm) but I believe there will be an UPGRADE mechanism where a regular HTTP connection can be made, then upgraded to a WebSocket, so no existing firewall rules interfere unless they are doing aggressive application level packet inspection. Connections are still initiated by the browser.