Universal Connection concepts

These concepts can help you become more familiar with the technical and configuration details involved with each of the connections that are available through Universal Connection. The information focuses on the relationship between the technology and the establishment of a Universal Connection. Each concept includes references to additional information about the topic.

Application proxies
An application proxy or application proxy server receives requests intended for another server and acts as the proxy of the client to obtain the requested service. You often use an application proxy server when the client and the server are incompatible for direct connection. For example, the client cannot meet the security authentication requirements of the server but need to be permitted some services.
IP packet filter firewall
You might need to change packet filter rules to allow Universal Connection traffic to flow through your firewall to IBM.
Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol help provide privacy over a network. Universal Connection creates a certificate store that contains trusted Certificate Authority Certificates for use by SSL or TLS. Some service applications use SSL or TLS to protect the service information that flows to IBM.
Network address translation
Network address translation (NAT) changes internal or private addresses to public or globally routable Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The Universal Connection traffic can flow through a NAT to IBM. This is enabled automatically.
SOCKS
A SOCKS server or client is a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) proxy application that allows you to send information through a wide variety of protocols without providing the internal network information. To use a SOCKS server, the client must support the SOCKS protocol.
Virtual private network
Virtual private network (VPN) can protect service information when you configure a Universal Connection between your system and the IBM support services.

Parent topic: Universal Connection