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How to enable WS/WSS on a load balancer (CLB)?

Created on 2025-04-16 18:15:10
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To enable WebSocket (WS) or Secure WebSocket (WSS) on a load balancer (CLB), you typically need to configure the load balancer to support these protocols. Here’s how you can do it:

Configuration Steps:

  1. Access the Load Balancer Settings: Log in to your cloud provider’s management console and navigate to the load balancer section.
  2. Create or Edit a Listener:
    • For WS: You need to create a listener on port 80 (HTTP) and enable WebSocket support.
    • For WSS: Create a listener on port 443 (HTTPS) and ensure it supports SSL/TLS certificates for secure communication.
  3. Enable WebSocket Protocol: Look for an option to enable WebSocket or WSS in the listener settings. This option allows the load balancer to forward WebSocket traffic to your backend servers.
  4. Configure Backend Servers: Ensure your backend servers are configured to handle WebSocket connections. This might involve setting up specific runtime environments or libraries that support WebSocket.
  5. Test the Configuration: Use a WebSocket client to test the connection through the load balancer to ensure that WS/WSS is working correctly.

Example:

Suppose you are using a cloud platform that offers a load balancer service. Here’s a simplified example of what the configuration might look like:

  • Step 1: Go to the CLB management page.
  • Step 2: Create a new listener on port 443 for WSS.
  • Step 3: In the listener settings, enable WSS and upload your SSL certificate.
  • Step 4: Ensure your backend server (e.g., a Node.js application) is set up to handle WebSocket connections using libraries like ws or socket.io.
  • Step 5: Use a tool like wscat to test the connection: wscat -c wss://your-load-balancer-domain.

Recommendation:

For those using Tencent Cloud, you can leverage Tencent Cloud Load Balancer (CLB) to easily enable WS/WSS. CLB supports WebSocket and provides a straightforward configuration process through the Tencent Cloud Console. Additionally, you can use Tencent Cloud Certificate Service to manage your SSL certificates for WSS.

By following these steps, you can effectively enable WS/WSS on your load balancer, ensuring efficient and secure communication for your WebSocket applications.