Documentation for WinProxy

Before setting up WinProxy

Overview of WinProxy Setup

Many software applications don't require much in the way of preparation: you just pop in a CD-ROM and, after a couple of mouse clicks, you're on your way. If you already have a functioning TCP/IP network, WinProxy's installation can be just that easy. If you don't, we urge you to lay a proper installation groundwork by gathering the information and hardware you'll need before you start. Doing so ensures that you'll have no problems during setup.

This section tells you what needs to be done-and, when appropriate, shows you how to do it-before installing WinProxy. There are seven categories of preparation, but you've probably already met the requirements in at least a few of them. The categories are:

• System Requirements
• Internet Connection
• Internet Service
• Network Hardware
• Addressing Information
• TCP/IP Protocol
• Your WinProxy Serial Number
• Anti-Virus and Site-Filtering Serial Numbers

Most people will have other computers-clients-on their networks (some single-computer users, with no need of simultaneous access, will nonetheless install WinProxy for its superior security capabilities). You should know that, as long as they have TCP/IP installed, clients can be almost any type of computer, including PCs, Macs, or UNIX/Linux-based systems.

The following chart provides a checklist of requirements to be met, and the remainder of this section gives a brief overview of each. Additionally, more comprehensive information about network hardware, addressing, and TCP/IP is contained in later chapters.

WinProxy Computer Pre-Installation Checklist

System Requirements

To run WinProxy, your system must be an IBM/PC or compatible computer running Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ Me/XP, with at least a 90 MHz processor chip. While the application itself uses only a small amount of disk space, 32 megabytes of disk space is recommended to take advantage of WinProxy optional capabilities (caching-the storage the program uses when retrieving web pages-is available only if you enable browsing through the Proxy). However, you can get away with less, depending on the size of your network.

Internet Connection

You'll need one modem (or other type of connecting device, such as a cable modem) on the WinProxy computer. Any Internet connection that uses TCP/IP works, including ISDN, T1-T3, Frame Relay, DirectPC, and wireless.

Internet Service

Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, provide access to the Internet and to mail and news servers. ISPs can be large and nationwide like Netcom or WorldNet, or they can be small and local. A user account from any Internet Service Provider is needed to access the Internet once WinProxy is running. You'll need only one account, since, by using WinProxy, all computers on your network can gain Internet access through the same account.

Networks Hardware

The exact kind of network hardware you use depends on the kind of access you have to the Internet.

Dial-Up Access. If you're using a modem, you must use dial-up access. For each computer on the network you'll need an installed and operational network card. You'll also need one network hub and a cable for each computer connecting to that hub.

Cable Modem/ADSL Modem/Direct Access. Each computer needs an installed and operational network card, as well as one additional card for the WinProxy computer (for connection to the Internet). You'll also need a hub if you have more than two computers, and a cable for each computer connecting to the hub.

Addressing Information

Computers need addresses to which various kinds of data can be sent. If you'll be doing the easy WinProxy setup using transparent proxy/NAT connectivity (which we recommend for beginners), you can skip this section. The reason: that particular configuration allows WinProxy to determine all addresses for you.

However, if you'll be using the more advanced Cproxy or Tproxy setups, you may need to provide certain addressing information to WinProxy, including any or all of the following: ISP news servers, mail servers, pop servers, and DNS servers. You may have received this information when you first joined your current ISP. If not, you'll learn how to obtain it in Section 3.4.

TCP/IP Protocol

TCP/IP is the Internet's official "language," or protocol, which allows computers to communicate. All communication between and among the WinProxy computer, clients, and the Internet use the TCP/IP protocol. The TCP/ IP protocol capability is supplied as part of the standard installation of Microsoft Windows 98/NT/2000/Me/XP (it must be manually added for Windows 95). See section 1.8 and appendix B for more details on TCP/IP.

Your WinProxy Serial Number

When you download a trial version of WinProxy, you have full use of the program and all of its features for a 30-day trial. At the end of thirty days WinProxy becomes unresponsive except for the menu, which allows you to enter a serial number. You'll receive a single reminder notice via email about five days before the trial period ends.

You can enter a serial number at any time. When you do, the copy of WinProxy you have downloaded returns to full functionality.

Anti-Virus and Site-Filtering Serial Numbers

The Anti-Virus and Site-Filtering options are also operational during the 30-day trial period. When you purchase and install a WinProxy serial number, the Anti-Virus and Site-Filtering options are automatically enabled for a 6-month period. You can purchase additional extensions for these options at any time from our website or by calling our toll-free number, 1-888-WinProxy. The new extensions are enabled when you enter the newly-purchased anti-virus or site-filtering serial number in the box provided. If you purchase and install an extension before your previous period has expired, the new extension is added onto the existing period.

After the initial 6-month period, these features will be disabled unless you purchase the extensions. Anti-Virus and Site-Filtering extensions can be purchased separately.