Caching proxy for home network?

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colinuu

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Topic # 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

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Reply # 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.

[Amstrad CPC 6128: 128k Memory: 3 inch floppy drive: Colour Screen]

Zeon

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Reply # 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

colinuu

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Reply # 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

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Reply # 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

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Reply # 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.

[Amstrad CPC 6128: 128k Memory: 3 inch floppy drive: Colour Screen]

colinuu

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Reply # 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

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Reply # 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
Taylor Broadband (rural hawkes bay)
www.ruralkiwi.com

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colinuu

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Reply # 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

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Reply # 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

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Reply # 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.