response code 206 - what is it? - Apache Web Server forum at WebmasterWorld

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response code 206 - what is it?

arbitrary

6:34 pm on Dec 6, 2005 (gmt 0)

When I use the header checker to check the homepage of a site, I see that it returns a server response of 200.

However, when I use a 'whois' tool, I see that the response code they show being returned is a 206.

I read up a bit on a 206 response but did not understand it. Could someone explain what a 206 is in simple terms. Why is a whois tool showing a 206 when a header checker tool is showing a 200? Should this be a cause for concern.

Thanks.

jdMorgan

6:44 pm on Dec 6, 2005 (gmt 0)

206-Partial Content is used in response to a request that includes a header specifying that only part of the content is required. For example, your WHOIS tool only needs to see the HTTP header, and perhaps the <HEAD> section of the page -- it doesn't need to load the entire page to perform its function. So it only asks for the first part of the page, and your server complies and indicates that it did so by returning the 206 code.

[w3.org...]

Jim

arbitrary

6:59 pm on Dec 6, 2005 (gmt 0)

Thanks Jim, that is a good explanation and one I can understand.

One more question. Some sites I tested with the whois tool, they return a 200 response. Why is that? Is it because some pages are longer than others?