The Caching Proxy functions as a proxy server. It accepts HTTP, FTP, and Gopher requests from clients, sends them to the respective Web servers, retrieves the data from the target servers on behalf of the originating clients, and forwards the data to the requesting client.
Using a proxy server can enhance security by concealing the IP address of the client from the content server (in a forward proxy scenario) or concealing the IP address of the content server from the client (in a reverse proxy scenario). A proxy server also takes on the load associated with making a URL request that otherwise would be placed on the client or the origin server.
The Caching Proxy supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. SSL provides server authentication and encrypts data transmitted through the network. Optionally, SSL connections provide client authentication. In some configurations, SSL tunneling can be used, in which the Caching Proxy server passes secure requests between the client and the content server without decrypting the data.
The Proxy Settings configuration page contains initial proxy configuration settings.
As noted above, Caching Proxy can provide proxy functioning for various protocols, including HTTP, FTP, and Gopher. SSL Tunneling can be enabled to any port, as well. However, make sure that the CONNECT method is enabled on the HTTP Methods form, which is found under Server Configuration, Request Processing.
Use the Proxy Settings configuration page to select which protocols you want to proxy. By default, the Caching Proxy is configured to provide proxy function for HTTP, FTP, Gopher, and SSL tunneling.
You can customize the proxy buffer size using the Proxy Settings configuration page. When the proxy returns dynamic data, such as output data from CGI-BIN programs, API programs, server-side includes, and Java servlets, it must buffer the data. For each proxy request, the server allocates a buffer up to the size you specify. The default buffer size is 100 KB.
You can specify the Proxy access log path using the Proxy Settings configuration page, or in Log Files, which is found under Server Configuration.