How to Setup a Proxy Server
A proxy server intercepts client requests intended for another server and performs functions or obtains a requested service on its behalf. A proxy server is commonly used when a client and server are not directly compatible due to security authentication requirements or being blocked by an administrator. A proxy server may also be used for caching purposes, allowing clients to access certain websites faster. A popular program for setting up a proxy server for Windows-based systems is WinProxy. It does not require any software to be installed on client machines and supports most network protocols.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with two network cards
- Network switch
- Network cables
- Broadband Internet connection
Instructions
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1
Install the TCP/IP protocol on all computer on the network. Click the "Start" button, then choose "Control Panel". Double-click the "Network Connections" icon, then right-click your network connection icon (usually labeled "Local Area Connection") and choose "Properties". Click the "Install" button, select "Protocol", then click the "Add" button. Select "Microsoft TCP/IP" and click "OK".
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2
Select a computer on which to install WinProxy. This computer will be called the "proxy computer". The computer you select must have two network cards installed, with a network cable running from the DSL or cable modem directly into one card and a network cable running from the other network card into a network switch or hub to which all other computers on the network are connected. In the "Network Connections" window, right-click on the Internet network connection icon and click "Properties". Click on "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click the "Properties" button. Set the IP address to "192.168.1.1" and set the subnet mask to "255.255.255.0".
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3
Assign each computer on the network a new IP address starting with "192.168.1.2" on the first computer, "192.168.1.3" on the second computer, "192.168.1.4" on the third computer and so on, using the same method in Step 2. Set all subnet masks to "255.255.255.0". Do not assign two computers the same IP address.
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4
Download "WinProxy" on the proxy computer by clicking on the link located in the Resources section below. Double-click the downloaded file to run the installation program. Click "Yes" to continue.
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5
Select the option to install WinProxy as a common application and click the "Install" button. Click the "OK" button after the installation has completed.
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6
Click the "Start" button and locate the WinProxy program group. Click the WinProxy program icon to run WinProxy.
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7
Configure all computers on the network, including the computer that is running WinProxy, to use the proxy server. Click "Start" and then click "Control Panel". Double-click "Internet Options". Select the "Connections" tab and then click "LAN Settings". Put a check in the box next to "Use a proxy server for your LAN". Enter the IP address for the proxy computer (192.168.1.1) and type in port number "3128". Put a check in the box next to "Bypass server for local (Intranet) addresses" and click "OK".
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8
Open the web browser on the proxy computer and type "http://localhost:3219" into the address bar, then press the ENTER key. From the following webpages you can configure the proxy server to enable/disable ports, allow Internet access from other computers on the network, and block outside network access. Consult the program manual by clicking the "WinProxy User Guide" link in the Resources section below for more configuration information.
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