URL providers
A URL provider implements the functionality for a particular URL protocol, such as HTTP, by extending the java.net.URLStreamHandler and java.net.URLConnection classes. It enables communication between the application and a URL resource that is served by that particular protocol.
A URL provider named Default URL Provider is included in the initial WebSphere configuration. This provider utilizes the URL support provided by the IBM JDK™. Any URL resource with protocols based on the Java 2 Standard Edition 1.3.1, such as HTTP, FTP or File, can use the default URL provider.
You can also plug in your own URL provider for another protocol not supported by the JDK.