Proxy Servers

In an enterprise that uses the internet, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between user workstations and the internet so that the enterprise can ensure security, administrative control, and caching.

A proxy server has a variety of potential purposes, including:

• Security - to keep machines behind it anonymous
• Speed - to speed up access to resources using caching
• Access control - to apply access policies, e.g. to restrict and block undesired sites
• Record usage - to log and audit usage for company employee internet usage reporting
• Protection - to scan transmitted content for malware before delivery

To the user, the proxy server is invisible, and all internet requests, and returned responses appear to be directly with the addressed internet server. However, the proxy server, filters the internet request from a user. If it passes the filtering requirements, it searches its local cache of previously downloaded web pages, and returns this cached information to the user, without forwarding the request to the internet, thus increasing speeds, and saving on bandwidth usage. If the request is not stored in the cache, the proxy server acts on behalf of the user. Utilising its own IP addresses (differing from user IP addresses) the proxy server forwards the request out to the internet. The result is returned to the proxy server, which relates the information to the original request, and forwards it to the user.

Cinotas provides the following convenient managed proxy services:

1. utilising and managing Cinotas' physical servers at client's premises
2. utilising client’s physical server and managing the service only

Server management requires highly skilled personnel, with specialised training in areas relating to the services hosted by specific servers.

Click here for a consultant to contact you for a customised managed server solution.