Proxy Configuration (Console)

[Robert Brockway]

On Mon, 22 Nov 2004, Lennart Sorensen wrote:

> On Mon, Nov 22, 2004 at 02:58:26PM -0500, Brian K. Garel wrote:
> > Does anyone know how to set console tools (ftp, et al) to use a proxy
> > server on a corporate lan?
> >
> > I've been reading a bit about it here and all roads are pointing to do
> > some really (scary for me) kernel recompiling.  Is there an easier way
> > of doing this?
> >
> > If needed I'm using DSL Linux (Damn Small Linux) which is based on Debian
>
> For those tools that support proxies (and just like on windows and other
> OSs, not every tool does), usually HTTP_PROXY or something like it as a
> variable works.  There should be a similar variable for HTTPS and FTP.
> Of course many also allow options on the command line on in the config
> for the tool, but the environment variable is pretty handy and
> universal.

For those tools that do not support proxies the only option is really a
"transparent proxy".  That can be done by the box running the utility or
any box routing the data to its eventual destination.  It is quite common
to have a firewall redirect all outbound HTTP or SMTP traffic to a local
box for purposes of saving bandwidth, security, monitoring or control.
This does not work well with all protocols.

Under Linux iptables will give you the desired functionality as long as
the right modules are loaded.  I'd be surprised if the original poster had
to recompile the kernel.  The default distro kernels should normally come
with the relevant modules.

Rob

-- 
Robert Brockway B.Sc.
Senior Technical Consultant, OpenTrend Solutions Ltd.
Phone: 416-669-3073, Email: rbrockway-wgAaPJgzrDxH4x6Dk/4f9A at public.gmane.org, http://www.opentrend.net
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