Server Name Indication (SNI) is an extension to the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol that allows multiple websites to share the same IP address while still providing secure connections. SNI enables a client to specify the hostname it is trying to reach during the TLS handshake, allowing the server to present the correct SSL/TLS certificate for that hostname.
Explanation:
In the past, each website requiring a secure connection needed its own unique IP address. With the advent of SNI, multiple websites can now share a single IP address, making more efficient use of available IP resources. This is particularly useful for cloud hosting providers and large-scale web applications.
Example:
Imagine a cloud server hosting three different websites: example1.com, example2.com, and example3.com. Without SNI, each of these websites would need its own IP address to ensure secure connections. However, with SNI, all three websites can share a single IP address. When a user accesses one of these websites, the browser includes the hostname in the TLS handshake, and the server responds with the appropriate SSL/TLS certificate for that specific website.
Recommendation:
If you are looking to implement SNI for your web applications, cloud platforms like Tencent Cloud offer robust support for TLS/SSL certificates and services that can help you manage and secure your websites efficiently.