Question

Which Linux distro would be best for a Proxy Server?

Asked by: drxav

Hi Everyone,

I have been charged with the creation of a proxy server, so we can monitor internet traffic, and stop interactivity for computers at will.

What i was wanting to know is, what would be the best Linux platform to do this on? I am currently thinking debian, but i would be very interested in other suggestions.

Thanks,

Xavier

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Asked On
2008-04-10 at 01:07:33ID23310863
Tags

Linux

,

Debian

Topics

Linux Distributions

,

Miscellaneous Networking

,

Linux Setup

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-04-10 at 01:15:36ID: 21322649

I've always found Suse Linux to be very useful as a firewall and can also recommend the 'Suse Linux Firewall on CD' if you're not a Linux expert already.

If you're already a Linux pro the Fedora is always a good choice (running as a server rather than desktop).

 

by: shakoush2001Posted on 2008-04-10 at 01:16:59ID: 21322656

I am using Debian myself for this, the problem with debian is that if according to your repos you might end up with an older stable version of the proxy you want to use. So my advice would be always compile from source so have the most bug fixes you can get. That way you will not run into downtimes.

CentOS is my second distro of choice.

However for the job you want to do I would really recommend you take a look at

http://www.untangle.com/

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-04-10 at 02:00:28ID: 21322870

Also, take a look at this:

http://www.untangle.com/

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-04-10 at 02:00:56ID: 21322874

Sorry, just read the post above!

Great minds think alike I guess?

 

by: shakoush2001Posted on 2008-04-10 at 02:03:22ID: 21322879

hehe :) well I like the job the untangle guys did and I recommend it whenever I can.

 

by: Syngin9Posted on 2008-04-10 at 05:10:47ID: 21323799

Debian and Squid would work great.  That's what I have running at our office.  THere is a walkthough on how to set up a transparent proxy with Debian and Squid here:

http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/71

 

by: shakoush2001Posted on 2008-04-10 at 05:25:06ID: 21323911

and you wuold need ntop to monitor network activity

 

by: drxavPosted on 2008-04-10 at 19:16:48ID: 31447639

Thank you

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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