Why the new HTTP is different and why the world should care
Switching to HTTP/2
It will probably take several years for the whole Internet to switch over to HTTP/2. The new protocol only works if both the client and server support it.
For this reason, you can expect the old and new HTTP to coexist in parallel for the foreseeable future. Practically speaking, this dual functionality means web browsers will initially contact a server with the old version 1.1 and then use HTTP/2 if the server supports it.
Browsers currently use an encrypted HTTP message to initiate a request to upgrade to HTTP/2. If a server accepts the request, the connection automatically switches to HTTP/2. However, the use of TLS is not necessarily required for HTTP/2. According to the specification, the connection can also use an unencrypted HTTP/2 connection via TCP.
In an effort to strengthen encryption on the web, major browser manufacturers Mozilla and Google currently only support HTTP/2 in combination with TLS. The specification requires TLS 1.2 or later for TLS connections, and data compression with TLS is not allowed.
You can visit the Akamai website [7] to find out if your web browser already supports HTTP/2. If you visit the site with a suitable web browser, you will see an impressive demo that shows how quickly images load using HTTP/2 instead of HTTP/1.1.
Outlook
HTTP/2 offers advantages for both users and web servers because both sides can save significant storage space and CPU time. Technologies for reducing the number of resources, for example, CSS Sprites and resource inlining, will no longer be necessary. The full impact of the new HTTP standard won't be known until its new functions are fully integrated into web APIs.
Infos
- RFC 2616: https://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2616.txt
- Average Number of Web Page Objects: http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/average-number-web-objects/
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol, Version 2: https://httpwg.github.io/specs/rfc7540.html
- SPDY Protocol: http://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-mbelshe-httpbis-spdy-00
- Header Compression for HTTP/2: https://httpwg.github.io/specs/rfc7541.html
- HTTP/2 FAQ: https://http2.github.io/faq/#is-it-http20-or-http2
- Test Page: https://http2.akamai.com/demo
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.