The current versions of most Web browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Opera, . Microsoft has built in WebSocket support for Internet Explorer version 10, still under development. To support older versions, Kaazing enterprises server software that emulates WebSocket functionality.

Fallows warned that WebSocket is not designed to replace HTTP, but instead would be used for specific high-traffic, low-latency needs that HTTP is ill-suited for, such as messaging, transactions, and frequently updated publish and subscribe-styled applications.

One audience attendee, a developer for a brokerage firm, said his organization is investigating WebSocket as a way to speed customer updates. He was aware of WebSocket's putative benefits but was pleasantly surprised to learn that WebSocket could be easily used with enterprise messaging protocols such as JMS.

The IDG News Service