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Forcing 'Connection Settings' in Firefox using Group Policy

I have used GP (on a Windows 2008 server) to force Internet Explorer to use a particular proxy server for internet access on all domain PCs. I would now like to force all instances of Firefox to use the same proxy, which I can achieve by setting the 'Use system proxy settings' in 'Connection Settings'

How do I go about forcing this setting in Firefox through GPO. It seems that I need to install some extensions for Firefox, and have downloaded the files from here - http://sourceforge.net/projects/firefoxadm/

However, there don't seem to be any reliable or useful instructions on how to actually install and configure the downloaded files - for example, the first readme starts with :-

'Add Firefox MSI (not supplied) to Group Policy'

Can anyone give me some step by step instructions on what I need to do to get this working on my Windows 2008 server?

Randy Downs

Try this

http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox/index.htm

Active Directory Deployment
Save the installer to a network location accessible by client computers (e.g. a network share on a domain controller). If you need to change the INSTALLLEVEL property (such as setting the Default browser), first create an administrative install in a network location)

Next step depends on if this is a new or upgrade site install.
New site install: Create a Group Policy Object (GPO). Right click on an Organizational Unit (OU) or your top level domain, then Properties. In the Group Policy tab, click New to create a new Group Policy.

Existing site install: Edit an existing GPO that installs Firefox.

Edit the GPO and navigate to Computer Configuration -> Software Settings -> Software

Installation
Next step depends on if this is a new or upgrade site install.

New site install: Add the new package, specify the location of the Firefox MSI on a network share. (e.g. \\server\appinstalls\firefox\firefox-x.x.x.x.msi). To include transformations (*.mst), choose 'Advanced' for the deployment method.am

Existing site install: Add the new package and choose 'Advanced' to specify the older packages in the Upgrades tab in the new package's properties. Optionally add transformations (*.mst)

Michael986

ASKER

Thanks for the quick reply, but it doesn't help ease my confusion.

I've downloaded the set of files as detailed above - it doesn't contain a Firefox MSI file (which your instructions say I need), and your instructions make no reference to the ADM and VBS files which I do have.

And aren't those instructions just for pushing out the install via GP rather than setting preferences?

Ian Meredith

As a member of Spiceworks there are regularly good discussions on all types of things, including setting Firefox Proxy via GPO.....

http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/372388-what-is-the-easiest-way-to-manage-and-lock-down-firefox-proxy-settings

It's not a straight forward process to get it working....

SOLUTION

Ian Meredith

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Ian Meredith

Taken from this link : http://techlib.barracuda.com/display/WSFLEXv41/How+to+Configure+Proxy+Settings+Using+Group+Policy+Management

"Barracuda recommends FirefoxADM for allowing centrally managed locked and/or default settings in Firefox via Group Policy Templates in Active Directory. More information is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/firefoxadm/."

Michael986

ASKER

"More information is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/firefoxadm/."

As per my original question - except that more info doesn't seem to be available!!

And looking at the FrontMotion website, it seems to be saying that the software that is configurable through GP is "FrontMotion Firefox Community Edition". It then goes on to say that "FrontMotion Firefox Community Edition is not Mozilla Firefox " - so I assume I'd need to replace Mozilla with the FrontMotion version?

Randy Downs

http://www.frontmotion.com/Firefox/index.htm

The files contained in this MSI are the official binaries with no modifications. Settings are matched as closely as possible to the official installer. Updates to the MSI follows the release of Mozilla Firefox. The MSI installer is free to download and use.

Michael986

ASKER

I'm not sure what you're trying to tell me there, but I'll hazard a guess and perhaps you can correct me if I'm wrong ....

There isn't a way of controlling Mozilla Firefox through GPO, but there is a product called "FrontMotion Firefox Community Edition" which can be pushed out and modified through GPO. It's not the same as, but is similar to, Mozilla Firefox.

Am I close?

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Randy Downs

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