HTTP

HTTP 308 Permanent Redirect vs 502 Bad Gateway

HTTP 308 (Permanent Redirect) is a 3xx Redirection response, while 502 (Bad Gateway) is a 5xx Server Error response. 308 indicates that the resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed. In contrast, 502 means that the server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.

Description

The resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.

When You See It

For permanent URL changes where POST requests must remain POST.

How to Fix

Update all references to the new URL. The HTTP method is preserved.

Description

The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.

When You See It

When Nginx/Apache can't reach the application server (e.g., Gunicorn is down, upstream timeout).

How to Fix

Check if the upstream server is running. Verify proxy configuration. Check for upstream timeouts.

Key Differences

1.

308 is a 3xx Redirection response, while 502 is a 5xx Server Error response.

2.

HTTP 308: The resource has been permanently moved. Like 301, but guarantees the HTTP method will NOT be changed.

3.

HTTP 502: The server, acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream server.

4.

You encounter 308 when for permanent URL changes where POST requests must remain POST.

5.

You encounter 502 when when Nginx/Apache can't reach the application server (e.g., Gunicorn is down, upstream timeout).

When to Use Which

For 308 (Permanent Redirect): Update all references to the new URL. The HTTP method is preserved. For 502 (Bad Gateway): Check if the upstream server is running. Verify proxy configuration. Check for upstream timeouts.

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