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How do I generate a HAR file?

How do I generate a HAR file?

When diagnosing issues in IBM Cloud Internet Services, it's often necessary to capture a detailed record of your browser’s interaction with a web page. This record, called an HTTP Archive (HAR) file, logs requests and responses between your browser and the server. HAR files help IBM support engineers pinpoint performance issues, failed requests, and configuration problems.

HAR files can contain sensitive data such as cookies, authentication tokens, passwords, or payment details. Before sharing the file with IBM support, carefully review its contents in a text editor and remove any confidential information.

You’re experiencing unexpected behavior, errors, or latency when using CIS, and IBM support has requested a HAR file to investigate the issue further.

Use the following sections to generate HAR files in Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge browsers.

Generating a HAR file in Firefox

To generate a HAR file:

  1. In Firefox, go to the page within CIS where you are experiencing trouble.
  2. Select the Firefox menu (three horizontal parallel lines) at the upper-right of your browser window, then select Developer > Network.
  3. The Developer Network Tools open as a docked panel at the side or bottom of the browser window. Click the Network tab.
  4. The recording starts automatically after you start performing actions in the browser.
  5. Refresh the CIS page that you are on, or go through the steps to reproduce the problem you've been experiencing while Firefox is recording activity.
  6. After you have reproduced the issue, right-click anywhere under the File column in the docked panel and click Save All As HAR.
  7. Save the HAR file in a location you choose, and send the file to IBM support.

Generating a HAR file in Chrome

To generate a HAR file:

  1. In Chrome, go to the page within CIS where you are experiencing trouble.
  2. Select the Chrome menu (three vertical dots) at the top-right of your browser window, then select Tools > Developer Tools.
  3. The Developer Tools open as a docked panel at the side or bottom of the browser window. Click the Network tab.
  4. Select the option Preserve log.
  5. The recording starts automatically, and a red "Record network log" icon appears at the top left of the Network tab. If not, click the black "Stop recording network log" icon, to start recording activity in your browser.
  6. Refresh the CIS page you are on or go through the steps to reproduce the problem you've been experiencing while Chrome is recording activity.
  7. After you have successfully reproduced the issue while recording, right-click any of the items within the Network tab and select Save all as HAR with Content to save a copy of the activity that you recorded.
  8. Save the HAR file in a location you choose, and send the file to IBM support.

Generating a HAR file in Safari

To generate a HAR file:

  1. In Safari, first check to see if you have a "Develop" menu at the top of the page. If not, go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and check "Show Develop Menu in menu bar".

  2. In Safari, go to the page within CIS where you are experiencing trouble.

  3. Navigate to Develop > Show Web Inspector.

    This menu option is not available until you browse somewhere beyond Safari's starting page. The Web Inspector opens as a docked panel at the bottom of Safari.

  4. Click the Network tab.

  5. Refresh the CIS page that you are on or go through the steps to reproduce the problem you've been experiencing while Safari is recording activity.

  6. After you have reproduced the issue, Control + click the resource that you want to capture the HAR file for, and click "Export HAR".

  7. Save the HAR file in a location you choose, and send the file to IBM support.

Generating a HAR file in Microsoft Edge

To generate a HAR file:

  1. In Microsoft Edge, go to the page within CIS where you are experiencing trouble.

  2. Click the Edge menu (three vertical dots) at the top-right of your browser window, then select More Tools > Developer Tools.

  3. Select the Network tab, then click Record in the upper left corner of the tab and verify that it is recording. If it is not yet recording, click Record to start recording.

  4. Check the box next to Preserve Log.

  5. Select Clear to remove any existing logs from the Network tab.

    Do not close the Developer Tools panel. This ends the recording and the HAR file will be lost.

  6. Refresh the CIS page you are on or go through the steps to reproduce the problem you've been experiencing while Edge is recording activity.

  7. After you have reproduced the issue, right-click anywhere on the grid of network requests and choose "Save as HAR with Content".

  8. Save the HAR file in a location you choose, and send the file to IBM support.