The endpoint is configured to use HTTP1.1 and HTTP/2, but TLS is not enabled. HTTP2 requires TLS application protocol negotiation. Connections to this endpoint will use HTTP1.1

Introduction:

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used for transferring data over the internet. It has gone through several versions since its inception, with HTTP1.1 being the latest version. HTTP2 is an upgrade to HTTP1.1 that provides better performance and security features. However, TLS (Transport Layer Security) is required for HTTP2 to work properly. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of TLS in HTTP2 and how to enable it on an endpoint.

What is TLS?

TLS is a protocol used to encrypt data transmitted over the internet. It provides secure communication between two parties by establishing an encrypted connection between them. TLS is used in conjunction with HTTP to provide secure web browsing. When a user visits a website, their browser sends a request to the server using HTTP. The server responds with an SSL/TLS certificate, which contains information about the server's identity and public key. The browser then uses this information to establish a secure connection with the server using TLS.

Why is TLS required for HTTP2?

HTTP2 requires TLS application protocol negotiation, which means that the client and server must negotiate the use of TLS before starting the HTTP2 session. This is because HTTP2 uses multiplexing to send multiple requests over a single connection, which can be vulnerable to attacks if not encrypted. TLS provides an additional layer of security by encrypting the data transmitted between the client and server.

How to enable TLS on an endpoint?

Enabling TLS on an endpoint involves configuring the server to use SSL/TLS certificates and enabling TLS application protocol negotiation. Here are the steps to enable TLS on an endpoint:

1. Obtain an SSL/TLS certificate: The first step is to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). This certificate contains information about the server's identity and public key, which will be used to establish a secure connection with the client.

2. Configure the server: Once you have obtained the SSL/TLS certificate, you need to configure the server to use it. This involves installing the certificate on the server and configuring the server to listen for HTTPS connections.

3. Enable TLS application protocol negotiation: To enable TLS application protocol negotiation, you need to configure the server to require clients to negotiate TLS before starting an HTTP2 session. This can be done by setting the "Strict-Transport-Security" header in the server's response.

4. Test the configuration: After configuring the server, you should test the configuration to ensure that it is working properly. You can use tools like Wireshark or cURL to test the HTTPS connection and verify that TLS application protocol negotiation is being used.

Code example:

Here is an example of how to configure a web server to use SSL/TLS certificates and enable TLS application protocol negotiation:

bash
# Install the SSL/TLS certificate on the server
sudo apt-get install openssl
sudo cp /path/to/certificate.crt /etc/ssl/certs/
sudo cp /path/to/privatekey.key /etc/ssl/private/
# Configure the server to listen for HTTPS connections
sudo nano /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
sudo sed -i 'a server {
    listen 443 ssl http2;
    ssl_certificate /etc/ssl/certs/certificate.crt;
    ssl_certificate_key /etc/ssl/private/privatekey.key;
    include /etc/letsencrypt/options-ssl-nginx.conf;
    ssl_dhparam /etc/letsencrypt/ssl-dhparams.pem;
}'
sudo systemctl restart nginx
# Enable TLS application protocol negotiation
sudo echo "Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains" >> /etc/nginx/nginx.conf

Conclusion:

TLS is an essential component of HTTP2, as it provides secure communication between the client and server. Enabling TLS on an endpoint involves obtaining an SSL/TLS certificate, configuring the server to use it, enabling TLS application protocol negotiation, and testing the configuration. By following these steps, you can ensure that your endpoint is using HTTP2 with TLS, providing better performance and security features for your users.