Caching proxy for home network?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Caching proxy for home network?

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#108921 8-Sep-2012 17:13

Now that our once good rural adsl connection is effectively broken because of too many users connected with no hope of any upgraded service forthcoming, I am looking at moving to some kind of wireless internet solution.

As data is typically more expensive and with smaller caps, I am thinking it would be sensible to install a caching proxy into my home network as a means of reducing download data, especially considering the various updates consumed by 3 or 4 pc's.

We no longer have any kids at home, so parental control is not a requirement, just the data caching.

What recomendations/opinions/suggestions are out there for what I have in mind? Minimum machine specs, software, etc. Pros and cons for transparent proxy?

I have one machine that is always on. I use it for network storage, print server, also web and ftp serving. Would I be able to run a proxy server on this machine as well?

All comments and suggestions welcome.

Cheers,
Colin

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#683194 8-Sep-2012 19:46

for free you could try squid. Pretty easy to setup if you know a bit of *nix. I have run it in a virtual machine before and is useful for stuff like herald, stuff etc...sites that are commonly visited.

Do surveys for Beer money (referral link) - Octopus Group

Link for buying beer (not affiliated, just like beer) - Good George

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#683238 8-Sep-2012 21:40

TBH data caching for such a low number of connections is marginal. Your probably better to spend the money used to power the caching device on extra data cap

Speedtest 2019-10-14

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#683414 9-Sep-2012 14:29

Zeon: TBH data caching for such a low number of connections is marginal. Your probably better to spend the money used to power the caching device on extra data cap

You may be right. Does anyone have any typical figures for the monthly data used by the various automatic updates - Windows Update, Adobe Flash, Java, Adobe Reader, Anti-virus, Skype, Windows Defender being a few examples which quickly come to mind.

rhy7s

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#683461 9-Sep-2012 17:00

I haven't found squid to be very reliable at caching Windows Updates. I've tried a few different configurations and often seem to end up using more data when trying to cache them than without.

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#683691 10-Sep-2012 08:53

You could always download a trial of Microsoft TMG and set it up as a proxy only. Its pretty good at caching some of that stuff and you can get 120 day trial for free.

Do surveys for Beer money (referral link) - Octopus Group

Link for buying beer (not affiliated, just like beer) - Good George

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#684164 10-Sep-2012 22:42

gjm: You could always download a trial of Microsoft TMG and set it up as a proxy only. Its pretty good at caching some of that stuff and you can get 120 day trial for free.

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

raytaylor

4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#685264 13-Sep-2012 00:23

Where are you?
Fixed wireless or microwave is probably a better option than a T-stick or vodem if you are concerned about the gigabytes.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#685281 13-Sep-2012 06:06

raytaylor: Where are you?
Fixed wireless or microwave is probably a better option than a T-stick or vodem if you are concerned about the gigabytes.

We are in the lower Turakina Valley (between Marton and Wanganui). There is apparently a fixed wireless operator called Airstream with a site in Marton which nearly covers us according to the information on their website (which I think is hopelessly optimistic). They don't seem to be very active however. Apart from that we do get both Telecom and VF cellular reception. It's looking like RBI off the VF tower is our best bet for the future, but it's not here yet...

Cheers,
Colin

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#685740 13-Sep-2012 18:19

Do you have line of sight to any where that can get a decent fixed line connection? Or maybe you could get adventurous and install a solar powered site to repeat something down in to the valley. Maybe from a hill top you can see Marton? They have ADSL2+ and VDSL.
I don't know exactly where you are in the valley obviously but with the right gear and good line of sight you could easily have VDSL speeds.
I work for a company in Palmy that does this sort of work, not solar power but long range wifi and stuff like that. Happy to help out if I can.

jjnz1

1358 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#685749 13-Sep-2012 18:49

colinuu:
raytaylor: Where are you?
Fixed wireless or microwave is probably a better option than a T-stick or vodem if you are concerned about the gigabytes.

We are in the lower Turakina Valley (between Marton and Wanganui). There is apparently a fixed wireless operator called Airstream with a site in Marton which nearly covers us according to the information on their website (which I think is hopelessly optimistic). They don't seem to be very active however. Apart from that we do get both Telecom and VF cellular reception. It's looking like RBI off the VF tower is our best bet for the future, but it's not here yet...

Cheers,
Colin

Hey Colin

If your serious about paying for a good fast internet connection, then I would talk to your favourite ISP (ie FX Networks, SNAP, Horizon Pacific, WorldXChange etc) and ask for them to do a prequalification check for an Araneo Wireless service or similar.

Araneo (I work for) can service most of your area from our nationwide wireless backbone. And I am sure there are others other than Airsteam that can help you too.

colinuu

246 posts

Master Geek

#687882 18-Sep-2012 21:05

Thanks for the tips. I'll be doing some more research...

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#687922 18-Sep-2012 23:07

Araneo is very good, but expensive :(

Speedtest 2019-10-14

Lias

5589 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#688058 19-Sep-2012 10:28

Zeon: Araneo is very good, but expensive :(

+1 for that

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.