Web Shortcut Access

The SMA appliance offers two options for providing access to basic Web (HTTP) resources through WorkPlace shortcuts for users who are running the OnDemand Tunnel agent:

• Redirect through network agent: When this method is enabled, Web content is proxied through the appliance for users running the OnDemand Tunnel agent, provided that the agent is loaded. In this method, Web traffic from Workplace links does not use translation, does not support single sign-on, and does not use URL-based rules to control access. However, this method generally provides better application compatibility than the Web content translation option does.

  If you enable this setting, you can optionally configure selected WorkPlace resources to be translated by defining aliases for those specified resources. You can also enforce policy at the URL level and support single sign-on using this approach. For more information, see Adding Web Application Profiles.

• Web content translation: Web content is translated using the Secure Mobile Access Web translation engine, a reverse proxy that provides single sign-on and fine-grained access control. When this method is enabled, you can provide single sign-on and use URL-based rules to control access; however, this method provides more limited application compatibility than the Redirect through network agent option does. To provide single sign-on, you must specify an alias to the resource; for more information, see Adding Resources.

The Web shortcut access method you choose will depend on several factors, including the network protocols used by your applications, your security requirements, convenience for end users, and the target platforms. This option is configured on the WorkPlace Settings page.