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Hi,
A proxy is basically a relay. Normally, your computer will access sites
directly, and the server will return results directly to you. What a proxy does
is act like a middleman, relaying information from your computer, to the
server. The server will then send the reply to the proxy, which in turn sends
it back to you.
Here's a simplified illustration your computer connecting to an internet site:
< Your > <==> data <==> < Internet >
<Computer> <==> stream <==> < site >
A proxy acts as a go-between:
< Your > <==> data <==> [ Proxy ] <==> data <==> <
Internet >
<Computer> <==> stream<==> [machine] <==> stream <==> < site >
Normally, this type of arrangement only adds to the time it takes for
information to travel from one point to another (greater lag / latency),
however, there are times in which you may need to have such a machine. Because
this directly influences how your computer attempts to access information, you
shouldn't touch it unless you know what you are doing. Normally, you won't need
it, but you will probably recognise situations in which you will needs such a
setup.
Altrus
| Hi
|
| I hope that this is the right NG to ask the following
| question (if not please tell me where to go):
|
| What is an HTTP proxy and why might I want one?
|
| Thanks
|
Phil
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