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Java SDK error using JRE 6.x "fatal alert: handshake_failure"

Issue​

Using Java SDK and JDK 1.6 (JRE 6.x), the following connection error to split.io is thrown:

.RECV TLSv1 ALERT: fatal, handshake_failure

  handling exception: javax.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException: Received fatal alert:
  handshake_failure

Root Cause​

Java 1.6 does support TLSv1 however, it does not support high strength Ciphers which are required by split.io security protocol.

Solution​

There are two solutions to this issue:

  • Upgrade your JDK to 1.7 or above (Java 7 or above). The newer versions will be packaged by default with the stronger ciphers needed.

  • Install the JCE (Java Cryptography Extension) from the JVM vendor for Java 6, which will provide the support for high strength ciphers.