Question

I’m trying to create a websocket server with Node.js to run on a Windows Azure. This should be simple, but I have run into problems I haven’t been able to find solutions for anywhere.

This is my serverside code:

var ws = require('websocket.io')
    , http = require('http').createServer().listen(process.env.PORT)
    , server = ws.attach(http)

server.on('connection', function (socket) {
    socket.on('message', function () { });
    socket.on('close', function () { });
});

How do I know which port I need to connect to?
My client code is:

var ws = new WebSocket("ws://socketiopuge.azurewebsites.net");

ws.onopen = function () {
    alert("opened");
};

ws.onmessage = function(msg) {
    alert(msg);
};

ws.onclose = function () {
    alert("closed");
};

When I run the code I get an 501 error code, and the onclode event is fired. I believe the problem is that I need to specify a port number when I create the WebSocket. Can any of you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Answer 1

If you’re using the new Azure web sites, they do not support websockets yet. The same goes for all web sites hosted through IIS – node.js or not.

Your only way of currently supporting websockets in Azure is by using worker roles and supplying your own node.js executable.