Making a server... well not really..please read on

[Nutcase]

I was wondering if it was possiable to speed up my internet over my network.. by dedicating the internet on one computer.. that computer would download stuff... like caching but it would allow access to the other compuers on that network. First of all is this possiable? and if so would it speed the internet up? if so how would I go about doing this?

[NatW]

You could get a product called WinProxy to run on one of the network computers, this product allow sharring of an internet connection. The best way is to get a Webram, by Ramp technologies. My company sells them, they can have up to three modems attached, each one dialed up to the internet, this is then broadcast across your network to each workstation.

[800XL]

By using a proxy application that caches web pages, graphics, and so forth you would speed up access to frequently used web sites. There are several proxy server packages out there from Microsoft Proxy Server down to apps that run on a win98 machine. Check out www.winfiles.com and look under shareware, win98 shareware, network and internet tools, proxy servers for a good overview of the most common ones. Wingate is one that comes to mind that has excellent proxy caching. There are some others like Sygate that are much easier to configure and use, but lack caching.

[Nutcase]

So if I actually setup a cache server. First of all what kind of system would it require? I will have all the computers on Win98. Should I buy an extra computer to dedicate to this? I can get a P200 with 96mb ram 2.2gb hd.. etc. for $150. I was wondering if I should buy that pc. Take my dads old pc and turn that into a server. His computer is a 133 4.3gb HD, 64mb Ram. Would it be worthwile for me to buy the new computer?

[simon]

If you have a small budget and want an inexpensive, reliable configuration - install Linux and run Apache web server/Squid Proxy Server.

For Web proxy think Unix.

(But I'm biased)

Simon.

[ktwebb]

Oh yeah, Simon, I am sure he wants to spend a month or two learning Linux. Nutcase, depends on how big your network is. If you have 10 or more workstations, using a server that uses an IDE hard drive might not be the best thing to do. Especially if you are going to use a lightweight processor like a 133 or 200. Now if you could get a PPro 200 cheap that might work. I would not run a proxy cache without a SCSI hard drive. After all, the primary purpose will be delivering pages directly off the drive. You could run it off one of your 98 machines if you absolutely had to but NT would suit you better. Yes, Apache and Linux would be the most stable and efficient solution but I gather from your post that you are not exactly a network/computer guru. Nothing personnel, but Linux has a fairly steep learning curve. For me anyway.

[Nutcase]

Well Linux is hard to learn. But I have been at it. I only want to make this setup for my house. I wanted to share the internet over 2 computers but it was really slow when I did so because I am on a dialup right now so I decided that I should setup a cache server. I think I will go with the NT or Linux idea. Well first let me buy the computer.. hehe

[ktwebb]

Fair enough. If you are comfortable with Linux, I would go with that. Stability is a beautiful thing.

[augidog]

personally, i am a huge fan of spoonproxy...very easy to use and remains free for single-client use

[800XL]

Does spoonproxy have any web caching? I know Sygate does not, but it is **** slick for setting up. Wingate has great caching, but is a pain setup. Linux with Squid is great way to go, but it is even harder to setup.

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

I was wondering: Can you install Winodws 98 Se in that environment and use the internet sharing features? Linux is also a good choice but it is hard to learn if you don't have a Unix background.