How To Use Fiddler

Fiddler is an HTTP Debugging Proxy by Microsoft. A Web Debugger freeware program that is used for tagging HTTP requests. In fact, it sees all HTTP sessions, requests, and responses before being returned to the client application.

Current version is Fiddler 2.x. Unlike the previous version, Fiddler 2 supports debugging HTTPS traffic

How it works:

- It works automatically with Internet Explorer

- It uses the proxy address 127.0.0.1 and port 8888

- It is able to change your browser network configuration to use Fiddler as a proxy by configuring the proxy settings by running Fiddlers configuration script. However, users can also configure the settings manually.

- Every Web request that is routed via the proxy is seen as a separate node in the web sessions list

Functions:

- It can log and profile HTTP/HTTPS traffic that's been redirected

- It is able to use JavaScript to analyze or modify HTTP Requests

Pros:

1. Works with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and others Web browsers
2. Its user interface is known to make it easy to monitor HTTP requests
3. It's extensible using the .NET Framework
4. It supports JScript .NET

Cons:

1. Has problems when working with an authenticating upstream proxy server
2. It is not able to monitor requests if using a localhost or 127.0.0.1 address (as local addresses typically bypass any proxies)

Note:

- Fiddler 2 requires version 2.0 of the .NET Framework.

- Fiddler 1.3 is used for .NET Framework version 1.1 users

System Requirements:

Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista with Microsoft .NET Framework v1.1 (4322) or later10 megabytes disk space / 800Mhz Pentium/Athlon processor (Screams at 2ghz)128 megabytes RAM (512 or more highly recommended)

Start up:

When Fiddler is run, the program registers itself as the system proxy.

To check the Proxy Settings or manually enter in the proxy address, click Tools, click Internet Options, click Connections, click LAN Setting, and finally click Advanced.

Shut down:

When closing Fiddler, it unregisters itself as the system proxy.

Fiddler can be used for...

• Debugging

• Performance Testing

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