Documentation for Kerio WinRoute

Proxy server

Even though the NAT technology used in WinRoute enables direct access to the Internet from all local hosts, it contains a standard HTTP proxy server. Under certain conditions the direct access cannot be used or it is inconvenient . The following list describes the most common situations:

1. To connect from the WinRoute host it is necessary to use the proxy server of your ISP. In this case the Internet cannot be accessed directly.

   Proxy server included in WinRoute can forward all queries to so called parent proxy server).

2. Internet connection is performed via a dial-up and access to certain Web pages is blocked (refer to chapter  URL Rules). If a direct connection is used, the line will be dialed before the HTTP query could be detected (line is dialed upon a DNS query or upon a client's request demanding connection to a Web server). If a user connects to a forbidden Web page, WinRoute dials the line and blocks access to the page the line is dialed but the page is not opened.

   Proxy server can receive and process clients' queries locally. The line will not be dialed if access to the requested page is forbidden.

3. WinRoute is deployed within a network with many hosts where proxy server has been used. It would be too complex and time-consuming to re-configure all the hosts.

   The Internet connection functionary is kept if proxy server is used it is not necessary to edit configuration of individual hosts (or only some hosts should be re-configured).

4. WinRoute may be filtering sites and objects transparently, however it is possible for a Web page to contain a redirect to a non-standard TCP port. In this case the transparent HTTP proxy will not be used. If the browser is configured to use a proxy server then the redirect will continue to be processed through the proxy server.

Note: The Proxy server in WinRoute supports only the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. Use direct access to support traffic using the FTP protocol unless you use a parent proxy server that supports FTP protocol (WinRoute's proxy server can get FTP to the parent proxy server).

Proxy Server Configuration

To configure proxy server parameters open the Proxy server tab in Configuration / Content Filtering / HTTP Policy.

Enable non-transparent proxy server

This option enables the HTTP proxy server in WinRoute on the port inserted in the Port entry (3128 port is set by the default).

Warning : If you use a port number that is already used by another service or application, WinRoute will accept this port, however, the proxy server will not be able to run and the following report will be logged into the Error log (refer to chapter Error Log):

failed to bind to port 3128: another application is using this port

If you are not sure that the port you intend to use is free, click on the Apply button and check the Error log (check whether the report has or has not been logged) immediately.

Forward to parent proxy server

Tick this option for WinRoute to forward all queries to the parent proxy server which will be specified by the following data:

• Server DNS name or IP address of parent proxy server and the port on which the server is running (3128 port is used by the default).

• Parent proxy server requires authentication if parent proxy server requires authentication through username and password, enable this option and specify the Username and Password entries.

  Note: The name and password for authentication to the parent proxy server is sent with each HTTP request. Only Basic authentication is supported.

  The Forward to parent proxy server option specifies how WinRoute will connect to the Internet (for update checks, downloads of McAfee updates and for connecting to the online ISS OrangeWeb Filter databases).

Set automatic proxy configuration script to

If a proxy server is used, Web browsers on client hosts must be configured correctly. Most common Web browsers (e.g. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape/Mozilla, Opera, etc.) enable automatic configuration of corresponding parameters by using a script downloaded from a corresponding Website specified with URL.

In the case of WinRoute's proxy server, the configuration script is saved at

http://192.168.1.1:3128/pac/proxy.pac,

where 192.168.1.1 is the IP address of the WinRoute host and number 3128 represents the port of the proxy server (see above).

The Allow browsers to use configuration script automatically... option adjusts the configuration script in accord with the current WinRoute configuration and the settings of the local network:

• Direct access no proxy server will be used by browsers

• WinRoute proxy server IP address of the WinRoute host and the port on which the proxy server is running will be used by the browser (see above).

Note: The configuration script requires that the proxy server is always available (even if the Direct access option is used).

Allow browsers to use configuration script automatically...

The Microsoft Internet Explorer browser can be configured automatically if the DHCP server is used and if the Automatically detect settings option is enabled in the browser settings.

WinRoute's DHCP server must be running (see chapter DHCP server), otherwise the function will not work. TCP/IP parameters at the host can be static Microsoft Internet Explorer sends a special DHCP query when started.

TIP: This way Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers at all local hosts can be configured by a single click.