What's the difference between URI and URL? (CFS)

Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) is a compact sequence of characters that identifies an abstract or physical resource. A URI can be further classified as a locator, a name, or both.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) refers to the subset of URIs that, in addition to identifying a resource, provide a means of locating the resource by describing its primary access mechanism.

From 6.0 and above version, SonicWall appliances support URI instead of URL which provides more flexible approach for users when configuring CFS allow/forbidden list.

The following is a scenario which blocks a URI:

Step 1: Login the firewall navigate to Security Services | Content Filter. Click Configure at Content Filter Type area.

Step 2: In the pop-up window, click tab Custom List | Add URI "silicon-valley-thinks-can-learn-skater-culture-ter" to the Forbidden URI list.

Open a browser to do a test. Here to use www.wired.com for demonstration. Input URL  "http://www.wired.com/2015/02/silicon-valley-thinks-can-learn-skater-culture-terrible-idea", the page is blocked.