Microsoft Proxy Server Overview

Microsoft® Proxy Server 2.0 is an extensible firewall and Web cache server that provides Internet security while improving network response time and efficiency. This product is redefining the Web caching and firewall categories by providing both capabilities in a single product.

Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 delivers the three things customers demand most for their intranet/Internet: High Performance, Extensible Firewall Security, and Easy Comprehensive Management.

High performance
With version 2.0, Microsoft Proxy Server introduces distributed and hierarchal caching to deliver unbeaten scalability and performance. This enables large enterprises and ISPs to make use of the product in their most demanding locations. Content caching is moving to branch offices and to the departmental level within enterprises and to ISP Points of Presence (POPs). Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 delivers distributed caching using a new standards-track technology called Cache Array Routing Protocol (CARP). With CARP, Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 provides unbeaten distributed Web caching performance and deployment flexibility.

Firewall security
Microsoft Proxy Server acts as a gateway with firewall-class security between a Local Area Network (LAN) and the Internet. Several new features have been added to Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 to enable its use as a firewall. These features include:

Dynamic Packet Filtering
Multilayered security
Alerting and Logging
Shielding of Internal Network Addresses and Internet Server Applications
Virtual Hosting (reverse proxy)

Plus, Microsoft Proxy Server can be used with Windows NT® ServerÆs Routing and Remote Access Service to provide cost-effective, secure Virtual Private Networks (VPN) VPNs.

Because Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 is an extensible firewall, customers can choose from a variety of third-party products that are built on and complement the security of Microsoft Proxy Server. Such products include virus scanning, JavaScript, and ActiveX™ filters, site blocking enhancement products, and more. In addition, because the best security policy is one that includes multiple mechanisms to provide backup and depth, Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0 can be used in a very complementary way with high-end firewall solutions to meet the specialized security needs for a wide spectrum of customers.

Easy comprehensive management
Since Microsoft Proxy Server is integrated with Windows NT Server, administrators can use a single set of tools to manage their intranet and Internet access. This provides a lower total cost of ownership. Version 2.0 introduces more ways to manage Microsoft Proxy Server with graphical interface, command line support for scripting, and Web Administration (note: Web Administration Tool is currently available as a separate download). New features such as cache arrays have tools for easy configuration. There are also new tools to automate the deployment, configuration, and backup of Microsoft Proxy Server. Plus, network managers can enjoy the additional flexibility provided by SOCKS v4 support, HTTP 1.1, and FTP caching to enable expanded use of Internet and intranet services to their users.

System Requirements

Intel and compatible systems:*

486/33 MHz or higher, or Pentium« or Pentium PRO processor
125 MB of available hard-disk space minimum

RISC-based systems: *

RISC processor compatible with WindowsáNT® Server operating system version 4.0
160 MB of available hard disk space

And:

16 MB of memory (RAM)
CD-ROM drive
VGA, Super VGA, or video graphics adapter compatible with WindowsáNT Server 4.0

* See your reseller for a list of compatible systems and peripherals.

Note: The retail version of WindowsáNT Server 4.0 supports up to four microprocessors out of the box. Support for up to 32 processors is available from your hardware vendor.

Processor Disk space RAM

Minimum: Intel 486 or faster; also supports Alpha AXP. At least 10 MB of available disk space for Microsoft Proxy Server after Windows NT Server has been installed.
For caching, adequate free disk space for the Web Proxy cache (100 MB + 0.5 MB for each Web Proxy service client).
At least 24 MB (32 MB for RISC-based systems).

Recommended for small businesses (0300 desktops): Intel Pentium 133-MHz processor. For caching, adequate free disk space for the Web Proxy cache (from 250 MB2 GB of disk space). At least 32 MB.

Recommended for medium businesses (3002,000 desktops): Intel Pentium 166-MHz processor. For caching, adequate free disk space for the Web Proxy cache (from 24 GB of disk space). At least 64 MB.

Recommended for large businesses (2,000 or more desktops): Intel Pentium 166-MHz processor. Set up a Proxy Server array with at least one server for every 2,000 desktops. For caching, adequate free disk space for the Web Proxy cache (from 24 GB of disk space per array member). At least 64 MB per array member.

Recommended for ISP with 1,000 or more simultaneous dial-up users: Intel Pentium 166-MHz processor. Set up a Proxy Server array with at least one server for every 1,000 dial-up customers. For caching, adequate free disk space for the Web Proxy cache (from 24 GB of disk space per array member). At least 64 MB per array member.