Understanding WebSocket Headers: All You Need to Know

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WebSocket has become an essential part of web applications. It is a protocol that enables real-time communication between clients and servers, where data can be sent and received simultaneously. One of the most critical components of WebSocket is the headers. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about WebSocket headers.

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1. What are WebSocket Headers?

Headers are an essential part of any communication protocol. They contain metadata about the message that is being sent and received. WebSocket headers are no different. They are a set of key-value pairs that provide information about the WebSocket connection. Headers are sent between the client and server as part of the initial handshake.

2. WebSocket Handshake Headers

The WebSocket handshake is the process that establishes a WebSocket connection between the client and server. During the handshake, the client sends an HTTP request to the server, which includes WebSocket headers. The server responds with an HTTP response that also includes WebSocket headers. The headers exchanged during the handshake include:

  • Upgrade: This header indicates that the client is requesting an upgrade to the WebSocket protocol.
  • Connection: This header specifies that the connection should be upgraded to a WebSocket connection.
  • Sec-WebSocket-Key: This header contains a random string that is used to verify that the server received the client’s request.
  • Sec-WebSocket-Version: This header specifies the WebSocket protocol version that the client is requesting.

3. WebSocket Data Frame Headers

Once the WebSocket connection has been established, data can be sent and received between the client and server. The data is sent in the form of frames. Each frame contains a header and a payload. The header contains information about the frame, such as the frame type and length. The headers that are included in the data frame are:

  • Fin: This header indicates whether the frame is the last in a series of frames that make up a message.
  • Rsv1, Rsv2, Rsv3: These headers are reserved for future use.
  • Opcode: This header specifies the type of data that is contained in the frame, such as text or binary data.
  • Mask: This header indicates whether the payload is masked or not. Masking is a security measure that ensures that the data cannot be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
  • Payload length: This header specifies the length of the payload in bytes.
  • Masking key: If the payload is masked, this header contains the masking key that is used to decode the payload.

4. WebSocket Security Headers

WebSocket connections can be vulnerable to security threats, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks. To protect against these threats, WebSocket headers can be used to enforce security measures. The security headers that are commonly used include:

  • Sec-WebSocket-Origin: This header specifies the origin of the WebSocket connection. It is used to prevent cross-origin attacks.
  • Sec-WebSocket-Protocol: This header specifies the subprotocol that is being used for the WebSocket connection.
  • Sec-WebSocket-Extensions: This header specifies the extensions that are being used for the WebSocket connection.
  • Sec-WebSocket-Accept: This header contains a hash value that is used to verify the WebSocket connection.

5. WebSocket Compression Headers

WebSocket connections can transmit large amounts of data, which can result in slower performance. To improve performance, WebSocket headers can be used to compress data. The compression headers that are commonly used include:

  • Per-Message-Compression-Extension: This header specifies the compression algorithm that is being used for each message.
  • Per-Message-Compression-Parameter: This header contains parameters that are used by the compression algorithm.

6. WebSocket Cookies Headers

Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on a user’s computer by a website. They are commonly used for session management and authentication. WebSocket headers can be used to send cookies between the client and server. The cookie headers that are commonly used include:

  • Cookie: This header contains the cookies that are being sent from the client to the server.
  • Set-Cookie: This header contains the cookies that are being sent from the server to the client.

7. WebSocket Header Examples

Here are some examples of WebSocket headers:

  • Upgrade: websocket
  • Connection: Upgrade
  • Sec-WebSocket-Key: dGhlIHNhbXBsZSBub25jZQ==
  • Sec-WebSocket-Version: 13
  • Fin: 1
  • Opcode: 1
  • Mask: 1
  • Payload length: 10
  • Masking key: 0x12 0x34 0x56 0x78
  • Sec-WebSocket-Origin: https://example.com
  • Sec-WebSocket-Protocol: chat, superchat
  • Sec-WebSocket-Extensions: permessage-deflate
  • Sec-WebSocket-Accept: s3pPLMBiTxaQ9kYGzzhZRbK+xOo=
  • Per-Message-Compression-Extension: permessage-deflate
  • Per-Message-Compression-Parameter: server_no_context_takeover; client_no_context_takeover
  • Cookie: sessionid=123456789
  • Set-Cookie: sessionid=123456789; expires=Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:18:14 GMT; HttpOnly; Secure

8. Conclusion

WebSocket headers are an essential part of the WebSocket protocol. They provide information about the WebSocket connection, data frames, security measures, compression, and cookies. Understanding WebSocket headers is crucial for building robust and secure WebSocket applications.

9. FAQ

What is a WebSocket?

A WebSocket is a protocol that enables real-time communication between clients and servers, where data can be sent and received simultaneously.

What are WebSocket headers?

WebSocket headers are a set of key-value pairs that provide information about the WebSocket connection, data frames, security measures, compression, and cookies.

What are WebSocket handshake headers?

WebSocket handshake headers are the headers that are exchanged between the client and server during the WebSocket handshake. They include Upgrade, Connection, Sec-WebSocket-Key, and Sec-WebSocket-Version headers.

What are WebSocket data frame headers?

WebSocket data frame headers are the headers that are included in the data frame. They include Fin, Rsv1, Rsv2, Rsv3, Opcode, Mask, Payload length, and Masking key headers.

What are WebSocket security headers?

WebSocket security headers are headers that are used to enforce security measures in WebSocket connections. They include Sec-WebSocket-Origin, Sec-WebSocket-Protocol, Sec-WebSocket-Extensions, and Sec-WebSocket-Accept headers.

What are WebSocket compression headers?

WebSocket compression headers are headers that are used to compress data in WebSocket connections. They include Per-Message-Compression-Extension and Per-Message-Compression-Parameter headers.

What are WebSocket cookie headers?

WebSocket cookie headers are headers that are used to send cookies between the client and server in WebSocket connections. They include Cookie and Set-Cookie headers.

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