Hi there.

I am about to network 9 Pcs at a small office.

Their requirements are.

1. Share Files
2. Share Printers
3. Share Intenet Access
4. 9 Individual Email accounts. (one for each PC)

All machines are running W98.

3 of the machine are already networked on a workgroup.

I plan to install a switch and simply add the 6 computers to the
workgroup and share hard drives/printers accordingly.

When it comes to sharing email and intenet, in the past i have used
Proxy+ to share web and VPOP running on a machine with net access to
route mail accross the lan.

My question: Are there any better proxy solutions which simply allow,
as well as web sharing, users to collect mail with Outlook or OE going
through the proxy to the external POP server, rather than collecting
from an internal mail server. I have tried this in the past without
much luck.

If someone can point me in the direction of a piece of proxy software
(free is good but not essential) and some instructions on how to set
the Outlook Express/Outlook client and proxy settings - i will be a
happy chappy.

Oh and one more thing - they are using 56K dial-up. (i know - i told
them)

Thanks in advance.

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Request for Question Clarification by maniac-ga on 14 Apr 2003 17:27 PDT

Hello Apcs_uk,

Let me make sure of the set up you are trying to use:

  Modem --- Proxy System --- Switch -- Other PC's

and you want software to run on the Proxy System to provide both NAT
and Proxy services to include HTTP and POP access. There are a number
of such solutions including:

AllegroSurf - http://www.allegrosurf.com/
for $150 for 7-12 users.

CcProxy - http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/
about $70 for unlimited users

ComTun - http://www.linkbyte.com/
for "unlimited" users, from $79 to $99, less for five.

If one of these appears OK - let me know so I can provide a proper
answer.

  --Maniac

---

Clarification of Question by apcs_uk-ga on 14 Apr 2003 23:50 PDT

>>>>>Let me make sure of the set up you are trying to use: 
 
  Modem --- Proxy System --- Switch -- Other PC's 
 
and you want software to run on the Proxy System to provide both NAT
and Proxy services to include HTTP and POP access. There are a number
of such solutions including:
>>>>>

Exactly. I apologise that the question wasnt perfectly clear.

In the past i have used a piece of proxy software to share the net
access and VPOP to share the emails accross the lan.

The proxy must, above all, allow users on the lan to use OE to connect
DIRECTLY to the ISPs pop server.

Please feel free to request further clarification.

Hello Apcs_uk,

There are a lot of products available for Windows 98 to provide proxy
and NAT (Network Address Translation) services. A few are listed
below:

CCProxy - http://www.youngzsoft.net/ccproxy/

This product appears to provide an extensive set of features including
mail, web access and caching, and a variety of connection methods.
This page includes links to a number of good summaries of how to set
up the software. $69 for unlimited users.

ComTun - http://www.linkbyte.com/

Explicitly lists the protocols supported on the main page. The image
below is hot - hold the mouse above the tabs displayed to see the
different screens used to configure the application. Includes a DNS
server for providing addresses on the local LAN if needed. I reviewed
the manual briefly and did not see any particular issues but I'd
recommend you do the same. $69 to $99 for unlimited users. The
"advanced" product includes HTTP caching, DNS, and some VPN support.

ezProxy - http://www.easyproxy.com/en/content/ezproxy/overview.htm

Provides both proxy and NAT services. The features page describes
performance in addition to features. Also describes a pop up killer
capability. $78 for 10 users, the price goes $50 for 10 more users or
up to $360 for unlimited users. This site also has complimentary
products for email server if desired.

I don't have personal experience with any of these, however I did
check for reviews and found:
  http://www.epinions.com/ensw-Server_Software-All-Windows_95_98
(not all items have a rating and/or price listed but you can sort by
rating, price, ...)

I also found a Windows 98 review describing the pros / cons overall.
It had a comment about how to set up proxy settings after using direct
dial.
  http://www.geek.com/hwswrev/win98fnl2.htm

Additional search phrases to help find additional information:
  windows 98 proxy software
  windows 98 NAT software
  windows 98 proxy NAT software review
or use one of the online directories such as
  http://dmoz.org/Computers/Software/Internet/Servers/Proxy/
  http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Software/Internet/Servers/Proxy/
  http://www.totalshareware.com/asp/list_view.asp?catid=118

  --Maniac

CC PROXY does the job. Simple instructions, great price. Your answer
was clear and comprehensive. Thanks for your Time