Question re: DHCP

[SteveOllis]

Can the DHCP of firstspot define the proxy settings in DHCPD like the windows one can?

Similar to

option wpad-url code 252 = text;
option wpad-url "http://proxy.asbury.edu/facstaff.pac\n";

Steve

[alan]

Note that FirstSpot DHCP server determines the IP range based on the Private Network Interface IP and subnet mask. Using the default Private Network Interface IP and subnet mask as an example, the IP range will be 10.20.7.2->10.20.7.254. You can also use the Excluded IP feature within FirstSpot DHCP to narrow down the IP range a bit.

So the proxy setting you mentioned may not be applicable to FirstSpot's case.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[SteveOllis]

Hi,

Ok.. let me explain further.

Attribute 252 in DHCP allows you to set the proxy autoconfiguration file that the client should download for proxy access.

What I'm envisaging is using SQUID for Windows on the Firstspot server to increase the perceived performance of the hotspot but in a way that is transparent from the end user.

So, instead of using ISA for transparent proxy, we're achieving a similar thing but for no cost. And it can be set to use an upstream proxy as well..

Attribute 252 contains a text string that points the client to download a proxy.pac (autoconfiguration file) from the server. This file can then contain information about what proxy the client should talk to.

Steve

[alan]

Thank you for your explanation on DHCP. It is much clearer now.

Unfortunately, our FirstSpot DHCP server doesn't support attribute 252. But the point is even if you are using Squid as proxy cache, all you need to do is to setup Squid as transparent proxy (I am pretty sure Squid for Linux support transparent proxy, but not 100% about Windows version though). Your setup will be:

Client -> FirstSpot -> Squid (as transparent proxy) -> Internet

The other way is for you to setup your own DHCP server and disable FirstSpot DHCP server.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[SteveOllis]

Ok,,

No, SQUID is not enabled for transparent proxy on Windows. Wonderful on linux tho...

So, you're saying that I CAN run the windows DHCP daemon, and use that for firstspot? What functionality do I lose?

[alan]

Not much. But you need to configure your DHCP correctly and hence more work. Points to note:

1) you need to turn off FirstSpot DHCP within Configuration Manager.
2) make sure you assign DNS suffix firstspot.org to the client PC (that is for Instant Keywords)
3) make sure DNS, Default Gateway is FirstSpot Private Network Interface IP (assuming Scenario 1)
4) and of course, the client IP needs to be in the same subnet as Private Network Interface IP.

BTW, what stop you from using SQUID for Linux? Our experience is that it is much better than the Windows version.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~