What's a proxy server?

[kelvinlym]

I'm connected to the LAN of my hostel to get internet access. I have to enable use proxy server in IE to be able to access the internet.

What's a proxy server? My friend is on the same network but his Internet options in IE for using proxy is not enabled. How come?

And after getting on the network, Getright and Kazaa Lite K++ doesn't seem to work anymore

Furthermore, I have to reconfigure Yahoo Messenger and ICQ to use proxy.

So is there anyway I can use Getright or Kazaa?

[kelvinlym]

I'm connected to the LAN of my hostel to get internet access. I have to enable use proxy server in IE to be able to access the internet.

What's a proxy server? My friend is on the same network but his Internet options in IE for using proxy is not enabled. How come?

And after getting on the network, Getright and Kazaa Lite K++ doesn't seem to work anymore

Furthermore, I have to reconfigure Yahoo Messenger and ICQ to use proxy.

So is there anyway I can use Getright or Kazaa?

[luke]

as far as my understanding of proxy servers goes, and to put it briefly, a proxy server is a server (or maybe just a program) that controls and regulates the networking of the computers under it. It's like a company dispatcher (mat despatch) or an intermediator -- it directs incoming data from internet to specific computers and also collect outgoing data from all the computers under it and transmits them to the WWW ... from an array of computers that connect to the internet separately, a proxy server combines all those connection and connects all of them to the internet in a single connection.

regarding the problems you mention, I think it's related to how the proxy regulates the connections. First of all, do you know what "port" as far as internet connection is concerned? Port is basically a designated division of an internet connection. In a particular computer, usually there are more than one program that use internet connection, but the computer only connects to internet using a single telephone/LAN cable ... so how does it know, when a data packet (data are sent through a connection as a serial of binary representation -- a set of those serialized data is called a packet) comes through the connection, what program is it for? Simple. By using "port". Every data packet is embedded with a port label. As soon as the OS socket service (the running program/service that regulates internet connection of a PC) receives a packet, it'll read off the embedded port label in it and send it to the program to which the port number is designated.

The same thing happens to outgoing data packets. Every packet is marked by the port number of the originating program so that when the remote computer sends a reply, it'll embed the port number into the reply data packet.

Secondly, there are usually 65536 available ports for a particular PC. Out of those, the first 1024 are reserved for the system. The rest are taken by programs such as Kazaa, BitTorrent, IRC, MSN etc etc. OK back to our definition of proxy server: it regulates the connections, right? So, imagine if there are 100 PCs under one proxy server, so if all the port numbers are to be served, then the server itself will need 6553600 ports -- that's expensive. So, in order to serve the network well, every underling PC is restricted to a number of ports -- maybe the first 1024. That's why programs that take port numbers more than 1024 might not be served. Thus, they don't get connected.

note: I write this from my memory. Some figures might be inaccurate. But as far as my understanding goes, that's the way it is :)

to solve your problems, if you can try to connect w/o proxy server. But if you are under a network then maybe you don't have any choice but to use it. I'm not so sure about this but there are some programs out there that can act as a counter-proxy server. they basically associate the port numbers used by Kazaa, BT, MSN etc with system-reserved port numbers (most of the first 1024 port numbers are underused -- what a waste) .. try googling :)

[luke]

as far as my understanding of proxy servers goes, and to put it briefly, a proxy server is a server (or maybe just a program) that controls and regulates the networking of the computers under it. It's like a company dispatcher (mat despatch) or an intermediator -- it directs incoming data from internet to specific computers and also collect outgoing data from all the computers under it and transmits them to the WWW ... from an array of computers that connect to the internet separately, a proxy server combines all those connection and connects all of them to the internet in a single connection.

regarding the problems you mention, I think it's related to how the proxy regulates the connections. First of all, do you know what "port" as far as internet connection is concerned? Port is basically a designated division of an internet connection. In a particular computer, usually there are more than one program that use internet connection, but the computer only connects to internet using a single telephone/LAN cable ... so how does it know, when a data packet (data are sent through a connection as a serial of binary representation -- a set of those serialized data is called a packet) comes through the connection, what program is it for? Simple. By using "port". Every data packet is embedded with a port label. As soon as the OS socket service (the running program/service that regulates internet connection of a PC) receives a packet, it'll read off the embedded port label in it and send it to the program to which the port number is designated.

The same thing happens to outgoing data packets. Every packet is marked by the port number of the originating program so that when the remote computer sends a reply, it'll embed the port number into the reply data packet.

Secondly, there are usually 65536 available ports for a particular PC. Out of those, the first 1024 are reserved for the system. The rest are taken by programs such as Kazaa, BitTorrent, IRC, MSN etc etc. OK back to our definition of proxy server: it regulates the connections, right? So, imagine if there are 100 PCs under one proxy server, so if all the port numbers are to be served, then the server itself will need 6553600 ports -- that's expensive. So, in order to serve the network well, every underling PC is restricted to a number of ports -- maybe the first 1024. That's why programs that take port numbers more than 1024 might not be served. Thus, they don't get connected.

note: I write this from my memory. Some figures might be inaccurate. But as far as my understanding goes, that's the way it is :)

to solve your problems, if you can try to connect w/o proxy server. But if you are under a network then maybe you don't have any choice but to use it. I'm not so sure about this but there are some programs out there that can act as a counter-proxy server. they basically associate the port numbers used by Kazaa, BT, MSN etc with system-reserved port numbers (most of the first 1024 port numbers are underused -- what a waste) .. try googling :)

[serenete]

Thanks for taking the time to explain that to us, that was really cool :)

[serenete]

Thanks for taking the time to explain that to us, that was really cool :)

[kelvinlym]

Yeah, thanks a bunch dude.

Anyway, the weird thing is that my friend who is on the same network can run Kazaa. And he can get into the Internet without enabling proxies! That is why I'm still scratching my head.

Is there anyone who is familiar in networking, especially in Windows XP that can help me out?

I was 1st using wireless into my uni's network. (in IE, proxy server was disabled)(my friend does not have a wireless card)

Then my friend and I registered to use the hostel's network instead, by using LAN.

My friend just plugged in the cable and voila, he's on the NET.

I plugged in but can't get into Net after disabling wireless.

So I ran Windows XP network configuration wizard, and changed all the programmes that connect to the Internet into using proxy server.

All programmes work except, Kazaa, Getright and Yahoo Msg's Webcam feature.

Question 1. Is there a problem with the options I chose while running the network configuration wizard? (My friend did not run it)

Question 2. Is there any other way I can connect to the Net without using a proxy server? (like my friend? he can run Kazaa on the same network!)

This stuff really baffles me... I'll check his network config again later tonite.

Thanks upfront

[kelvinlym]

Yeah, thanks a bunch dude.

Anyway, the weird thing is that my friend who is on the same network can run Kazaa. And he can get into the Internet without enabling proxies! That is why I'm still scratching my head.

Is there anyone who is familiar in networking, especially in Windows XP that can help me out?

I was 1st using wireless into my uni's network. (in IE, proxy server was disabled)(my friend does not have a wireless card)

Then my friend and I registered to use the hostel's network instead, by using LAN.

My friend just plugged in the cable and voila, he's on the NET.

I plugged in but can't get into Net after disabling wireless.

So I ran Windows XP network configuration wizard, and changed all the programmes that connect to the Internet into using proxy server.

All programmes work except, Kazaa, Getright and Yahoo Msg's Webcam feature.

Question 1. Is there a problem with the options I chose while running the network configuration wizard? (My friend did not run it)

Question 2. Is there any other way I can connect to the Net without using a proxy server? (like my friend? he can run Kazaa on the same network!)

This stuff really baffles me... I'll check his network config again later tonite.

Thanks upfront

[kelvinlym]

Is it because of different network cables? Will it make a difference if I use a direct cable or a crossover cable? I've yet to compare it with my friend's.

I think it might be it.

[kelvinlym]

Is it because of different network cables? Will it make a difference if I use a direct cable or a crossover cable? I've yet to compare it with my friend's.

I think it might be it.

[screw3d]

The only time you'll really need a crossover cable is when you attempt to connect two computers directly and certain connections between router/network ports.

Do you have a regular network jack that you can try first? See if you can access Kazaa using the usual connection before messing with wireless connections.

[screw3d]

The only time you'll really need a crossover cable is when you attempt to connect two computers directly and certain connections between router/network ports.

Do you have a regular network jack that you can try first? See if you can access Kazaa using the usual connection before messing with wireless connections.

[kelvinlym]

I am using a straight through network cable (just checked), if that's what u meant as a regular network jack.

but it's a 10Mbps cable though.

i know that crossover are meant for Peer to peer, but in my case, is it actually possible to use crossover? i'll check the cable on my friend's. we actually got the cables from 2 different persons.

[kelvinlym]

I am using a straight through network cable (just checked), if that's what u meant as a regular network jack.

but it's a 10Mbps cable though.

i know that crossover are meant for Peer to peer, but in my case, is it actually possible to use crossover? i'll check the cable on my friend's. we actually got the cables from 2 different persons.

[littlebigone]

I thought p2p was a very specific term. and i also thought that crossover's were used for serial connections.

Anyways, you didn't say if you had gotten in touch with your network operators. They would be the best party to get in touch if you're having trouble. Hopefully tech support is good in Germany.

[littlebigone]

I thought p2p was a very specific term. and i also thought that crossover's were used for serial connections.

Anyways, you didn't say if you had gotten in touch with your network operators. They would be the best party to get in touch if you're having trouble. Hopefully tech support is good in Germany.

[kelvinlym]

My friend's cable is also a "straight through". So what did I do wrong?

[kelvinlym]

My friend's cable is also a "straight through". So what did I do wrong?

[__earth]

it might be just the firewall, if you have a firewall. the firewall might block i/o to and fro certain port.

[__earth]

it might be just the firewall, if you have a firewall. the firewall might block i/o to and fro certain port.

[kelvinlym]

it can't be the firewall, cos i disabled it and my friend (who can connect to the Net WITHOUT proxy enabled) is connected to the same network (same DHCP, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS etc)

[kelvinlym]

it can't be the firewall, cos i disabled it and my friend (who can connect to the Net WITHOUT proxy enabled) is connected to the same network (same DHCP, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS etc)

[Thirdshifter]

Are you using a Splitter instead of a Router?

From the jack, you should run a the cable to a router and from the router you connect the computers.

If you put a splitter on the jack expect these kind of things to happen, things that nobody could explain why its happening. Just random problems poping up.

[Thirdshifter]

Are you using a Splitter instead of a Router?

From the jack, you should run a the cable to a router and from the router you connect the computers.

If you put a splitter on the jack expect these kind of things to happen, things that nobody could explain why its happening. Just random problems poping up.

[kelvinlym]

i don't think so. it's my hostel's network.

we have to register our MAC address to the admin. and we get a static ip assigned by the DHCP

Default gateway on both computers the same. 134.60.108.99

ip address: 134.60.108.<room no>

[kelvinlym]

i don't think so. it's my hostel's network.

we have to register our MAC address to the admin. and we get a static ip assigned by the DHCP

Default gateway on both computers the same. 134.60.108.99

ip address: 134.60.108.<room no>

[__earth]

huhuhu, thanks for the info :twisted:

[__earth]

huhuhu, thanks for the info :twisted:

[Thirdshifter]

i don't think so. it's my hostel's network.

we have to register our MAC address to the admin. and we get a static ip assigned by the DHCP

Default gateway on both computers the same. 134.60.108.99

ip address: 134.60.108.<room no>

I was assuming the same thing as well. So if you used a splitter you can't get this done.

[Thirdshifter]

i don't think so. it's my hostel's network.

we have to register our MAC address to the admin. and we get a static ip assigned by the DHCP

Default gateway on both computers the same. 134.60.108.99

ip address: 134.60.108.<room no>

I was assuming the same thing as well. So if you used a splitter you can't get this done.

[kelvinlym]

turns out that the ip address of my room was blocked because the previous user was hogging too much bandwidth.

i was given a new ip and everything is now fine.

[kelvinlym]

turns out that the ip address of my room was blocked because the previous user was hogging too much bandwidth.

i was given a new ip and everything is now fine.

[serenete]

Glad to know it's all worked out :)


:idea: serenete

[serenete]

Glad to know it's all worked out :)


:idea: serenete

[DecentMerson]

i got a very very weird problem... which is driving me nuts...

ok... i'm using streamyx and everything was fine for 3 months... although sometime there's some disconnections now and then...

but , this strange thing starts happening for about 2 weeks now...
the strange thing is:

i am connected to my ISP, and i am able to download stuff (using BitTornado ( a bitTorrent client ) and KazaaLite...) with decent speed of 20+ Kb/s....

wat 'amuse' me is that, i can't surf the internet ... I can't load every single page... so, i thought it must be a bug of IE, then, i try to use Opera (another internet browser) and, to my amazement, i can't load a page too...

and I'm connected to MSN, and happily chatting with my frens...
however, i can't connect to my ICQ though..

so, i try to ping google.com, and it turn out to be fine,...

try to use the telnet XXXXXX 80, it says that Connecting To XXXXXXX...Could not open connection to the host, on port 80.
An operation on a socket could not be performed because the system lacked sufficient buffer space or because a queue was full.

this same msg shows when i try on port 25.... too...

so, i try to restart my com, and try to connect and stuff, the problem persist... and after a few times of restarting the com, it turns back to normal..... everything just fine....

so, since then, i need to fight a war with the computer in order to surf the net...

any idea wat's wrong with my com...or with me???

[__earth]

firewall?

[digimushu]

Hrmm....
check all your downloading software(kazaa, bittorrent). Make sure they are not using port 80. Port 80 is used by your browser to download pages. it could be that all your software is 'hogging' port 80. Kazaa usually connects to the net thru port 1215.

Hope that Helps!

[luke]

Port 80 is used by your browser to download pages. it could be that all your software is 'hogging' port 80.
Contrary to popular belief, your browser doesn't use port 80 to download webpages of websites ... port 80 is usually the port number used by a server which hosts a websites unless the server admin changed the port number used just like recom uses port 8000 (ever wondered wth is the ":8000" behind recom's URL? that's port number for recom's server) ... your browser uses a non-80 port to connect to the port 80 of a website ...

example:
you:1544 ----- "hello, are u there?" -----> google:80
you:1544 <---------- "i'm here" ------------ google:80
you:1544 ----- "gimme your pages" -----> google:80
you:1544 <----------- "here" ---------------- google:80

even if you use telnet to connect to google port 80, 80 is the port number of google not yours .. the port number used on your pc is not 80 ..

so regarding this problem, I don't think it's the problem of programs hogging your port 80 but rather "something" block you from connecting to port 80 of webservers ... virus? worm?

[jagganatha]

Guess you have to check the firewall restirictions.. try disable it and surf.. if still persist then check all ur software... meaybe its a spyware or virii does it occur only on IE or any other browser.. if only IE then repair it using its feature or reinstall..

[Deepthroat]

erm probably lil 2 late 2 post this but.....
ur problem sounds like the international connections of streamyx got screwed up

sometimes i have this similar problem and it usually returns 2 normal after a day or 2

it's kinda normal 2 happen cos u know.........streamyx

[jiinjoo]

Interesting - but do you have more information about the international connections thing? Why would it get "screwed up"? The border gateway routers are powered off? Nation is defending itself against foreign packets? Would really like to learn more.

Btw, here's a tool for you to find out about the open ports on your computer. Go to the cmd prompt and type

netstat

enter, and you should be able to see some of the lingering TCP connections that your computer current have opened. You can do netstat -a for all (including local loopbacks) or netstat -n for IP addresses instead of hostname, or a combination.