Initiating SSL/TLS Connectivity

There are two ways to initiate SSL/TLS connectivity when the client connects to the server:

• Start the SSL/TLS negotiation when the server accepts the connection.
• Negotiate Transport Layer Security (TLS) through Telnet as the first step, and then start SSL/TLS negotiation.

The success of your connection to the server depends on whether or not the server to which you are connecting is configured to negotiate TLS options through Telnet. For example, if you configure HostExplorer to skip Telnet negotiation, but the server is set for Telnet negotiation, then the server will close the connection. On the other hand, if you configure HostExplorer to negotiate through Telnet, but the Telnet negotiation option is disabled on the server, then HostExplorer may time out, causing the connection to fail.

It is recommended that you consult your administrator for the option setting on the server before you configure the HostExplorer session profile for SSL/TLS connectivity.

To initiate SSL/TLS connectivity:

1. On the Options menu, click Session Properties. The Session Profile dialog box opens.
2. Expand the Security folder, and click the General category.
3. Select the SSL/TLS option.
4. Click the SSL/TLS tab.
5. Select the version of the SSL/TLS protocol that you want to use or proceed to the next step to accept the default.
6. Do one of the following:
7. • Clear Negotiate Via Telnet to start the negotiation immediately.
   • Select Negotiate Via Telnet to negotiate TLS through Telnet and then start the negotiation.

Related Topics

Negotiating SSL/TLS Communication

Verifying the Success of SSL/TLS Negotiation