IBM Support

IBM TRIRIGA using Fiddler for tracing web browser traffic

Question & Answer


Question

When using IBM TRIRIGA product I am experiencing an issue that might be related to network layer and want to trace web traffic for troubleshooting purposes. How can I use Fiddler for that purpose?

Cause

Need to trace and analyze the incoming and outcoming network package flow for my Internet Browser session while troubleshooting an issue impacting IBM TRIRIGA product and want to use Fiddler for this purpose.

Answer

Fiddler is a third-party tool for monitoring requests made and received by a web browser. This information is often invaluable when troubleshooting a problem with IBM TRIRIGA product. Due to the nature of IBM TRIRIGA, an error message may not always display the true cause of the error. A Fiddler trace will help by logging all HTTP requests or responses that may have been made.

Fiddler can be downloaded from the following URL. NOTE: This URL takes the user away from the IBM site and IBM does not control the content at this link: http://www.telerik.com/fiddler.

Install Fiddler on the client machine you want to log the HTTP requests and capture traffic from.

If the IBM TRIRIGA is being accessed via HTTPS, ensure the following steps are taken before beginning a capture.

A. Enable HTTPS traffic decryption:

A1) Click Tools > Fiddler Options > HTTPS.

A2) Click the Decrypt HTTPS Traffic box.

Fiddler Options -- Decrypt HTTPS Traffic

A3) Next to Trust the Fiddler Root certificate?, click Yes.

Trust the Fiddler Root certificate

A4) After Do you want to install this certificate?, click Yes.

Install this certificate


B. Inspecting the Fiddler trace to determine if HTTPS traffic was decrypted correctly:

B1) Below is an example of a Fiddler trace that was not configured to decrypt HTTPS and will not contain the information required:



B2) When Fiddler is correctly configured to decrypt HTTPS traffic the trace will contain entries similar to those above, as well as the decrypted requests / responses. Note the HTTPS in the Protocol column:




To capture HTTPS traffic from Mozilla Firefox, the following additional steps may also be required.

C. Setting up Mozilla Firefox for using Fiddler

C1) If FiddlerHook is enabled, in Firefox click Tools > Monitor with Fiddler > Trust FiddlerRoot certificate....

FiddlerHook Menu Option

Otherwise, import the certificate manually (skip steps C2 - C6 if FiddlerHook is enabled).

C2) In Fiddler, click Tools > Fiddler Options

C3) Click the Export Fiddler Root Certificate to Desktop button.

Export Root Certificate to Desktop

C4) In Firefox, click Tools > Options... > Advanced > Certificates > View Certificates > Authorities > Import... 

C5) Select the FiddlerRoot.cer file from your desktop.

C6) Click the check box next to Trust this CA to identify web sites.




After completing the steps above, you are ready for running Fiddler and capturing the web traffic. See steps below.

D. Running Fiddler

D1) Close all other browser windows before opening Fiddler.

D2) Open a browser window and log into the IBM TRIRIGA.

D3) Run the Fiddler application. By default it gets started capturing traffic automatically (File -> Capture Traffic F12 check marked). You may toggle it on or off by pressing F12 key.



D4) Have the user perform the operation that is causing the error.

D5) When the action has been completed, save the results in Fiddler by choosing File -> Save -> All Sessions.



D6) The file will be saved as a .saz file. You can provide this file when working with IBM TRIRIGA Support team.


IMPORTANT NOTE: You may experience web browser slow downs when Fiddler is running and capturing traffic. Do not open other browser sessions while capturing web traffic using Fiddler. When you are done with this capturing, save the session file (.saz) and exit Fiddler.


Additional information on how to use Fiddler can be found on the IBM Tutorial page How to capture HTTP traffic using the fiddler web debugging proxy .

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 June 2018

UID

swg21963419