Scanning results in "Communication Error" in AppScan Standard 9.0

Technote (troubleshooting)

Problem(Abstract)

Attempts to start scanning with IBM Security AppScan Standard version 9.0.x result in "Communication Error", even if the application is accessible.

Cause

The issue could be that the application responses to the AppScan system down checks took a some time, and AppScan declared "Communication error" even if AppScan could communicate with the application.

Resolving the problem

Workaround: 

Disable the server down check by setting to False the following two options:

• Scan Configuration -> Advanced Configuration -> Server-down detection: Check for "server down" in Explore
• Scan Configuration -> Advanced Configuration -> Server-down detection: Check for "server down" in Test

Note: Disabling the server-down function will not have any critical impact on the scan. The only impact is that if there is a communication problem, AppScan will take a longer time to report it, or it may report it a form of another error message.