This software is free. Please report any problems to the support email address below. Updates and further development continues to occur. Latest information can be found on the web site. Contact information can be found below.
FreeProxy is a proxy program which enables a single connection to the internet to be shared by other computers on a network. Typically, one computer connects to the internet service provider and the other computers in the local network "point" to the connected computer running the FreeProxy program. No other software is required in the client systems.
The front to the proxy is the FreeProxy Control Centre. The Control Centre enables you to enter configuration parameters and start/stop the server program. It is also possible to set up a configuration ('Config') file and control the FreeProxy program directly without the use of the Control Centre but this is not covered in the help.
From V3 onwards, FreeProxy includes a built in, HTTP/1.1 compatible web server which you can enable. The web server is fast and stable. HTTP compliance will continue to be increased and information can be found on the web site regarding the available version. The web server, although built in to FreeProxy, is called 'FreeWeb'. Freeproxy can run in many modes; only as a web server; only as a proxy; both as a proxy and web server.
Server: Windows 98, NT4 (>=sp4), Windows 2000 or Windows XP. (Does not work on Windows 95)
Client: An operating system, browsers etc.
The package includes both an install and un-uninstall feature.
All queries addressed to the email below will be answered as soon as possible:
Alternatively view the Q&A section at the site:
This product is free. However, if you would like to donate US $10 (or any other amount) to on-going development of this product, it would be most gratefully received. Please send to Greg Robson-Garth, 83 Napoleon St, Eltham, 3095, Australia. This is entirely optional.
In the diagram above, one system (the FreeProxy "Server") is connected to the internet. All "Client" systems can access the internet via the FreeProxy server.
FreeProxy has these features which can be used/not used as required:
Demand Dialing
Whenever a connection is attempted, dial the associated Internet Service Provider.
Automatic dialing:
Set up the connection at specific times.
Calendar control:
Create weekly calendars to determine
- when automatic dialing should occur
- when demanded connections to the internet can be made
Session Control:
Keep track of session times and allow access to the ISP based on total time used
Hangup
Hangup based on inactivity or time.
Run options
Run FreeProxy as an NT/2000 service or in console mode. Will only work in console mode on Windows 98.
Trace information
FreeProxy provides 3 levels of trace information as well as the ability to display all the IP traffic being sent and received.
Protocols
Currently, only HTTP, POP and SMTP are catered for.
URL Filter
Prevent access to certain internet sites
Logging
Log access and attempts to access forbidden sites.
Configurable Web Server
Serve Web Pages to browsers
Note: all these features can be used, if required. Or, all can be disabled.
FreeProxy consists of 3 parts:
Access to the FreeProxy client program is installed in the Windows "Start" menu during setup. All interaction with FreeProxy occurs from the Control Centre. This will manage all the components.
To start using FreeProxy select:
Start è FreeProxy è FreeProxy Control Centre
FreeProxy V1.00 used a parameter file as input to the server program. The format of the parameter file has changed and users will now have to use the Control Centre to input data. The use of the (new-format) parameter file is still possible however details will have to be obtained from the support email address.
A new control centre has been developed. The number of parameters are usually small and therefore a conversion program has not been developed. Please re-type your V2. parameters into version 3.
Typically, you set up the parameters using the control centre, save them to a local file on disk. Start the FreeProxy server from the control centre and then close the control centre. FreeProxy will remain running as a service until stopped and removed. You can stop and remove the server from within the Control Centre.
The FreeProxy service is managed from the Control Centre. The advantage of using a service is that a user session does not have to be active for the service to function. Once installed and started, the service will manage the connections as you have requested, dialing and redirecting as required without having a user logged on.
FreeProxy can be run as a console program (ie not as a service) to enable you to trouble shoot the network connections. You can use the Trace feature from the Control Centre to specify the level of "Debugging" required. Messages are written to either the name specified in the Port redirection entry, or if not there to the Trace file or if not specified to the file "FreeProxy.Log"; in the default directory.
From V3, debugging traces have been removed for the sake of performance. If you are experiencing problems, a debug version of he software can be obtained by emailing Support (see Getting Help above). This version will display a detailed program trace which is really only meaningful to the developer.