Why would someone use a proxy server instead of a router

[Magueta]

Hi all,

I've never used a real proxy server, I only use a small application called the Proxomitron that rewrites webpages on the fly to get rid of popups and anything else I want. Anyway, I'm just curious about what reasons a person might have to run a proxy server instead of a router? I know what I use it for but what is the purpose of a proxy server?

Joe

[Hayl]

2 uses came to mind immediately.

- it can be used to block porn sites

- it can be used to cache web sites to speed up browsing

[Leigh]

A proxy is used for caching. There is no really good reason why a person might use one but there are a lot of good reasons for an ISP to use one.
1. Speed. If you request a page that is already cached, it will be delivered to you straight out of the cahe without getting it from the site. Assuming that the network is designed properly and the proxy is close to where you are connected to, this can speed up your download. (No delays over the internet).

2. Saving money. It is estimated that a proxy can save an ISP around 10-20% of their upstream data bill. Most ISPs pay their upstream providers a per-Mb rate on data. If they can serve a page up to their users out of a cache instead of getting it from the internet at large, it saves them money. The bigger the ISP (ie the more customers they have) and the more their customers go to 'frequently visited' sites, the more it will save them.
Some ISPs I know of actually block non-proxied traffic so that you can't get around using their proxy. Some others use transparent ones, so you are using it whether you know it or not.

[ShieldWolf]

Originally posted by Leigh
A proxy is used for caching. There is no really good reason why a person might use one
Lot's more clipped to save room.

You're obviously not a parent concerned with where your kids may be browsing. A proxy server can be configured to track usage and/or restrict access.

[Magueta]

Those are all really interesting uses. I had no idea that it could be used for tracking and caching. Actually the tracking part seems to come naturally, but the caching seems a little out of place.

Joe