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

03/26/2020 8 10063

DESCRIPTION:

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.

RESOLUTION:

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.

If input the URL "http://www.wired.com" without the name "silicon-valley-thinks-can-learn-skater-culture-terrible-idea",the web page will display.