HTTP 403 Forbidden error when connecting SMART Desktop 7.5.6 with SMART Connect 7 (local server)

SMART Community Forum
1

Hello,

I have installed SMART Connect 7.5.7 on a local server (Apache + Tomcat, behind HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate). SMART Desktop 7.5.10 can reach the Connect server URL, but when I try to log in or sync data, I consistently receive an HTTP 403 Forbidden error.

Steps I have already taken:

  • Verified that the user in SMART Connect has all available actions assigned.
  • Confirmed that the SSL certificate is valid and the reverse proxy (Apache to Tomcat AJP) is working.
  • Tested the API endpoint directly via browser (https://mydomain.com/server/api/) → it also returns 403 Forbidden.
  • Apache error logs show client denied by server configuration followed by 403.

Questions:

  • Is there any specific permission or action in SMART Connect that must be enabled for API access from SMART Desktop?
  • Where can I find the detailed Connect logs to understand why the request is being denied?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

2

Hello,

Sorry that no one got back to you sooner. I am not very familiar with local Connect servers but having looked into this this usually isn’t a permissions issue in SMART Connect — a 403 from both Desktop and the browser means Apache or Tomcat is blocking the request before it reaches Connect.

Can you check your Apache proxy and Tomcat AJP settings:

  • In Tomcat’s server.xml, set secretRequired="false" (or define a matching secret in Apache).
  • In your Apache site config, make sure you have:
<Proxy *>
    Require all granted
</Proxy>

and reload Apache.

Once Apache forwards the request correctly, hitting https://yourdomain.com/server/api/ should show the Connect API page and SMART Desktop will sync normally.

If this is no help I will escalate your issue.

Thanks

Alex