Help for Method Enablement

Use this form to select the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) methods you want to enable for your server.

HTTP Methods

You can select which HTTP methods you want to enable for your server. Client requests to the server include a method field that indicates the action the server is to perform on the document or object the client is requesting. The client request is accepted only if the requested method is enabled on the server.

To enable or disable methods:

Check the boxes for the methods you want to enable. Uncheck the boxes for the methods you want to disable.
Following are descriptions of how the server responds to requests with each of the methods. The descriptions assume the method is enabled.

CHECKIN - The server processes this method the same as the PUT method.

CHECKOUT - The server processes this method the same as the GET method.

DELETE - The server deletes the object identified by the URL. After the object is successfully deleted, the URL is invalid. Because DELETE lets clients delete information from your server, you must use protection rules to define who you want to be able to use this method. See the "Protecting Your Server" chapter of IBM Internet Connection Server Up and Running for information on protection rules.

GET - The server returns whatever data is identified by the URL. If the URL refers to an executable program, the server returns the output of the program.

HEAD - The server returns only an HTTP document header without the document body.

POST - The request contains data and a URL. The server creates a new object with the data portion of the request. The server links the new object to the URL sent on the request. The server gives the new object a URL. The server sends the URL of the new object back to the client. The new object is subordinate to the URL contained on the request (the same way a file is subordinate to a directory or a news article is subordinate to a newsgroup). POST creates new documents; use PUT to replace existing data.

PUT - The request contains data and a URL. The URL must already exist on the server. The server deletes the current data defined by the URL and replaces it with the new data contained in the request. PUT replaces existing data; use POST to create new documents. Because PUT lets clients replace information on your server, you must use protection rules to define who you want to be able to use this method. See the "Protecting Your Server" chapter of IBM Internet Connection Up and Running for information on protection rules.

If you want to use the changes you make to the form, select the Apply button. If you want to go back to the values that were on the form before you made changes, select the Reset button.