Servers & Network

A proxy server can be used to store (or "cache") frequently visited web sites.

This can be an advantage on a school network, where multiple students on the network visit the same site. The first student to visit a web site makes a connection, via the proxy server, to the desired web site on the Internet.

The proxy server "remembers" the web site, so that when the next student on the network visits the same site, the page loads from the local proxy server, across the local network, rather than competing with traffic directly on the Internet.

In this way a proxy server can significantly improve perceived Internet access speed for users on the network. However, "live" sites, such as web based e-mail sites and search sites, cannot be cached, for obvious reasons. Web sites with server side scripts, or links to advertising content servers, may also frustrate the use of a proxy cache.

While the stored content will load from the local proxy, the scripts or advertisements will still need an external connection.

Still, despite this issue, the general network speed for Internet access in a school should still be improved with the use of a caching proxy server.

A proxy server can also be used to filter access to web pages.

The DET network uses a central proxy server, which services all DET schools in NSW.

Proxy servers installed in individual schools must connect to the internet through the DET's central proxy server. Having one proxy (at the school) connecting to the Internet via another proxy server (at the DET) is known as cascading proxy servers.

The DET proxy server in this setup is referred to as the parent proxy.

You can setup a local caching proxy server running on a computer using either Linux, Macintosh or Windows operating systems, regardless of the platform of the computers on your network.

Macintosh computers can connect to the Internet via a Windows or Linux proxy, and visa versa, due to the platform independent TCP/IP network protocol.

There are a number of proxy servers available which are suitable for use in schools.

Commercially available proxy servers include WebSTAR (Mac), Wingate (Win) and Vicom (Mac and Win). While these products are generally straightforward to setup, they are relatively expensive. Windows server also includes a proxy server (free for licensed DET schools.) The most widely used proxy server (by a long margin) is Squid.

Squid is the Unix-based proxy server used by many ISPs, and centrally in the DET, and is something of an "industry standard".

Squid is very reliable, fast and efficient, and is free. Once up and running a Squid/Linux machine can run for years without problems.

NSW DET Schools Note:

NSW DET schools can only connect to the Internet via a central proxy server, which provides both caching and filtering services. With this proxy server providing services to over 2000 schools, you can imagine that it is a busy server! You can setup one of the proxy servers listed below to provide a caching proxy server for your school only. However, this local server must use the DET proxy as it's upstream "parent" proxy.

Check out Wazza's DET proxy info and the official DET local proxy configuration info before setting up a local proxy server in a DET school. (DET intranet access required).

NSW DET schools should also be aware of the list of "exceptions" which can be used in conjunction with the DET proxy, so that DET Intranet sites load more quickly.

See Wazza's DET Proxy Info to download the exceptions list.

SENTRAL

A commercial product which includes the Squid proxy server, as well as a variety of other modules, including site filtering, and useful OASIS and calendar modules for NSW DET schools. The neat Sentral web interface, clear documentation and on-line support makes the use of this server a breeze for even the most inexperienced user.

Hardware: Late model PC. Additional RAM and HD space

DET Setup: Excellent documentation and support.

Cost: around $AU800.

SquidMan

A Mac OS X implementation of Squid with an easy installation and setup interface.

Hardware: Any recent iMac

DET Setup: (Wazza's SquidMan-DansGuardian setup notes) (pdf - 1.5 Mb)
(Currently being updated)

Cost: Free

Red Hat Linux / Squid

If you need a proxy, and want to have a tinker with Linux, try this setup. You will need to install Linux, then install Squid, then install WebMin (to get a Web interface to administer Squid).

A bit of fiddling, but fast and reliable even on older hardware.

The Red Hat company has developed a corporate implementation of the Linux Server OS. However the company maintains "open source" support for Linux projects. Red Hat Linux software (Fedora) is available for under $20 at newsagents.

Software
* Red Hat - Purchase on CD at newsagent for app $16

* Squid - Download Squid RPM Installer Package

* WebMin: Download Webmin RPM Installer package ("noarch")(to start/stop and administer Squid)

Hardware: Pentium III +

DET Setup: No specific notes available. Install the software above, then use WebMin to setup Squid for the DET parent proxy.

Configure network computers' preferences to use the IP address and port number (3128) of the proxy server running Squid.

If you are also using the DansGuardian filter on the proxy server, the port number is 8080

Cost: Free

Proxy Switcher (Win)

Client utility. Handy for Win laptops - switch between school proxy and home settings with one click. Lite version is free.
(Mac users can do the same thing with Location manager).

WebMin (Linux/Mac OS X)

Provides a web interface for Linux-based software (such as Squid, Dansguardian, etc) installed in OSX or Linux. See also:
WebMin OSX Package
Webmin installation instructions (See Wazza's notes too)
OSX installation info at the WebMin site.

Authoxy (Mac)

A utility for interpreting and forwarding pac file requests at a system level.

 

Webstar

Macintosh Web Server suite which includes, along with a number of other functions, a caching proxy server.

Wingate

Windows proxy server which includes, along with a number of other functions, a caching proxy server.

Vicom

Mac/Win routing/proxy software

While not essential in DET schools (firewalling and spam filtering is maintained centrally), this software may be useful in other educational or network environments.

Brickhouse (OSX)
Provides a neat interface to options in the OSX built-in firewall.

Smoothwall (Linux)
Designed for ease of use, SmoothWall is configured via a web-based GUI, and requires very lttle knowledge of Linux to install or use. Free version available.

CensorNet (Content filter & Firewall - Linux)
An open-source project built on the Dansguardian filter.

Wazza's Links to Capturing Software

Whacking, sucking, etc - download entire websites to your HD or local network.

Useful Linux Sites for Beginners

Once you start playing with Squid/Linux, you may find yourself being drawn into the open-source Linux world! Here are some useful support sites:
Squid - Official Site
Linux.com
Linux Magazine
Linux Newbie
Linux Today Australia
Linux World Australia
PHPMac.com (for Mac php stuff)