HTTP Essentials: Protocols for Secure, Scaleable Web Sites Stephen A. Thomas

The first complete reference guide to the essential Web protocol
As applications and services converge and Web technologies not only assume HTTP but require developers to manipulate it, it is becoming increasingly crucial for network managers, Web masters, and anyone working with HTTP to understand the nuts and bolts of this most prevalent Web protocol. This book provides complete documentation and explanation of the protocol, including advanced and experimental extensions. Readers will get core guidance on implementing HTTP 1.1 in their products, including how to accelerate HTTP in large scale Web sites, how to secure it, and how to handle compatibility issues with versions 0.9 and 1.0. HTTP switching and invisible HTTP operations such as option negotiations, status checks, and path tracing are also examined.

STEPHEN THOMAS is cofounder and Chief Technical Officer for TransNexus, a leading provider of Internet e-commerce solutions. A frequent speaker at conferences and trade shows, Thomas has been actively involved in TCP/IP standard development and has coauthored and contributed to numerous Internet RFCs. He has written extensively for technical, trade, and popular audiences and is the author of several books, including, most recently, SSL and TLS Essentials: Securing the Web (Wiley).