Enable WebSockets on Windows Server

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• WebSockets: Purpose and Benefits
• WebSocket Setup

WebSockets: Purpose and Benefits

WebSockets are a communication protocol that enables a persistent, bidirectional connection between a client and a server, allowing both sides to exchange data in real time.

Our software heavily depends on server-client communication to enable asynchronous information loading, server-driven dashboard refreshes, and real-time fly-in notifications. Depending on the communication protocol used, performance and connection limitations may vary. WebSockets provide an efficient communication method for real-time interactions. 

If WebSockets are not installed and properly configured on your server, our software will automatically fall back to using Server-Sent Events (SSE). While this method still provides real-time updates, it is less efficient than WebSockets and may be subject to connection limitations. This can become an issue if users open multiple tabs of our software in their browser. 

To ensure the best performance, we recommend installing and configuring WebSockets on your server.

 
WebSocket Setup

To enable support for the WebSocket Protocol on Windows Server 2012 and above, use the following steps:

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Under the Manage menu, click Add Roles and Features.
3. Select Role-based or Feature-based Installation, and then click Next.
4. Select the appropriate server, (your local server is selected by default), and then click Next.
5. Expand Web Server (IIS) in the Roles tree, then expand Web Server, and then expand Application Development.
6. Select WebSocket Protocol, and then click Next.
7. If no additional features are needed, click Next.
8. Click Install.
9. When the installation completes, click Close to exit the wizard.
   
   

You may need to manually enable WebSockets in IIS. However, under typical circumstances, this step should be automatically handled.