Additional info...
Ignition v8.1.48
I restored a backup for a production gateway into a docker based test environment.
The production database was using SSL and had Force Secure Redirect setting set True.
For the restore into test environment I used the Restore Disabled option and then performed password reset and restart on the project (./gwcmd.exe -p and ./gwcmd.exe -p)
Upon attempting to open designer for the restored project I received the Connection refused:getsockopt error
I followed instructions at:
https://support.inductiveautomation.com/hc/en-us/articles/4415277272205-Troubleshooting-Launchers-that-Silently-Fail-to-Launch-Applications-or-Designer
I found the <connect usessl="true" port="8043"/> line in my results also.
This was confusing to me as I have already verified that SSL / TLS allows for secure communication with the gateway was not enabled.
The option to change Force Secure Redirect was blocked (greyed-out), because SSL /TLS was not enabled. I could see Force Secure Redirect was set True, I just understood that not to matter as SSL/TLS was not enabled, and the UI prevented me from changing it.
Ultimately I had to edit gateway.xml directly, changing
<entry key="gateway.forceSecureRedirect">true</entry>
to
<entry key="gateway.forceSecureRedirect">false</entry>
And that resolved the issue for me; I could open the gateway in designer.
@Kevin.Herron would you consider the fact that Force Secure Redirect can be locked TRUE when SSL/TLS is not enabled to be a bug that IA developers would take action on?