Oracle Apps R12 Forms : Servlet or Socket

Default Forms connection mode in Oracle Applications R12 is "SERVLET" where as in Oracle Apps 11i default form connect mode is "SOCKET" So

What is difference between socket and servlet mode in Forms ?
What are advantages and disadvantages of each ?
Can we change default R12 forms mode from servlet to Socket ?


Oracle Form Servlet Overview in apps R12
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i) In this mode, Java servlet handles communication between forms client(java based) and Oracle Forms Service (10g).

ii) All connection is via HTTP Server so there is no need to start form server and no need to open form server port on firewall between client machine and application tier.

iii) More secure as compared to Forms Socket Mode.

iv) Network traffic is more as HTTP protocol is more chatty so little bit network bandwidth hungry when compared with SOCKET mode

v) No additional certificate requirement during SSL implementation for application tier, single certificate will handle both forms & web connection.


How to change from default Servlet mode (in apps R12) to Socket mode ?
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Refer to Oracle Metalink Note # 384241.1 Using Forms Socket Mode with Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12


Are there any network overheads of using Forms in Servlet Mode ?
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Metalink Note # 311091.1 Understanding the Network Overhead Of Forms Servlet Listener Architecture Compared to Forms Server, covers some interesting points w.r.t. network traffic


Advantage & Disadvantages of Forms Servlet Mode

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-- Simple SSL Configuration (as no separate ssl configuration is required for Forms as connections are via web/http server)

-- No port need to open to access forms in firewall

-- More secure method of deployment over Internet