Proxy Server

Introduction

A proxy server is a computer that offers network and internet access services to the client computers in a network. A proxy is a stand-in for you - someone who does something on your behalf. A proxy server is a kind of stand in for your computer. In an enterprise that uses the Internet, a proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a workstation user and the Internet so that the enterprise can ensure security, administrative control, and caching service.
By using the proxy server you can hide, conceal and make your network id anonymous by hiding your IP address. A proxy server is associated with or part of a gateway server that separates the enterprise network from the outside network and a firewall server that protects the enterprise network from outside intrusion. In short, a Proxy Server can be described as 'A server that sits between a client application, such as a Web browser, and a real server.' To get the anonymous status on the network or Internet, strong intermediate methods are employed like cryptography etc.


How does Proxy Server works?

A proxy server receives a request for an Internet service (such as a Web page request) from a user. If it passes filtering requirements, the proxy server, assuming it is also a cache server , looks in its local cache of previously downloaded Web pages. If it finds the page, it returns it to the user without needing to forward the request to the Internet. If the page is not in the cache, the proxy server, acting as a client on behalf of the user, uses one of its own IP addresses to request the page from the server out on the Internet. When the page is returned, the proxy server relates it to the original request and forwards it on to the user. A good example, and the one you probably see the most, is a web proxy. When configured to use a proxy, your web browser contacts the proxy server for each web access instead of going directly to the target server on the internet. The proxy server then turns around and makes the "real" request of the web server. The proxy server gets the response, and then passes it back to you.
There is a large number of the software available that allows you to hide your IP address with the help of the proxy servers. The well known software for this purpose is Hide IP, Stealth surf, Netconceal, Anonymous surfing, Proxify and Ghost surf. To the user, the proxy server is invisible; all Internet requests and returned responses appear to be directly with the addressed Internet server. (The proxy is not quite invisible; its IP address has to be specified as a configuration option to the browser or other protocol program.)


Types of Proxy Servers

Many different types of Proxy Servers are available. Some common types are-

1. FTP
2. HTTP
3. Gopher
4. IRC
5. MSN
6. AIM
7. ICQ
8. VOIP
9. SSL

Depending on the purpose you can get Proxy Servers to route any of these common protocols, and many more. So out of the common types of Proxy Servers, you end up with the following:

FTP Proxy Server:
Relays and caches FTP Traffic.

HTTP Proxy Server:
A one way request to retrieve Web Pages.

Socks Proxy Server:
A newer protocol to allow relaying of far more different types of data, whether TCP or UDP.

NAT Proxy Server:
This one works a little different, it allows the redirection of all packets without a Program having to support a Proxy Server.

SSL Proxy Server:
An extension was created to the HTTP Proxy Server which allows relaying of TCP data similar to a Socks Proxy Server. This one done mainly to allow encryption of Web Page requests.


Furthermore, a Proxy Server can be split into another two Categories:

Anonymous:
An Anonymous Proxy Server blocks the remote Computer from knowing the identity of the Computer using the Proxy Server to make requests.

Transparent:
A Transparent Proxy Server tells the remote Computer the IP Address of your Computer. This provides no privacy.

Anonymous Proxy Servers can further be broken down into two more categories, Elite and Disguised. An Elite Proxy Server is not identifiable to the remote computer as a Proxy in any way. A Disguised Proxy Server gives the remote computer enough information to let it know that it is a Proxy, however it still does not give away the IP of the Computer it is relaying information for.


Advantages of Proxy Server

Improve Performance
Proxy servers can dramatically improve performance for groups of users. This is because it saves the results of all requests for a certain amount of time. Consider the case where both user X and user Y access the World Wide Web through a proxy server. First user X requests a certain Web page, which we'll call Page 1. Sometime later, user Y requests the same page. Instead of forwarding the request to the Web server where Page 1 resides, which can be a time-consuming operation, the proxy server simply returns the Page 1 that it already fetched for user X. Since the proxy server is often on the same network as the user, this is a much faster operation. Real proxy servers support hundreds or thousands of users. The major online services such as America Online, MSN and Yahoo, for example, employ an array of proxy servers.

Security Schemes
Proxy servers can also implement security schemes. For example, an FTP proxy server could be set up to allow files to be sent from the Internet to a computer on the intranet,but to block files from being sent from the corporate network out to the Internet-or vice versa. In this way, intranet administrators can block anyone outside the corporation from downloading vital corporate data. Or they can stop intranet users from downloading files which may contain viruses.

Logging
A proxy can also do logging.

Filter Requests
Proxy servers can also be used to filter requests. For example, a company might use a proxy server to prevent its employees from accessing a specific set of Web sites.
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Worlds Slimmest 24" LCD Monitor - BenQ V2400W

BenQ, world’s leading digital network devices brand, today unveiled its latest offering for the Indian market, the BenQ V2400W LCD monitor. The 24” widescreen BenQ V2400W has the distinction of being the world’s slimmest LCD monitor in its category with its thickest point measuring just 24 mm. The newly launched monitor is also the winner of the coveted 2007 iF Design Award, recognition of outstanding design and style.

BenQ V2400W is only 2.44-inches at its thickest point, which is over 21 percent slimmer than the next thinnest LCD monitor. The monitor combines asymmetry and the aerodynamic curves of the B-2 stealth bomber, and features a subtle blue LED and slick-touch controls. Sporting an overall mirror-black finish, this premium LCD has a 4000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, new RHCM injection process, and full 1080p HD support.

A unique blend of dynamic energy, kinetic beauty and unconventional art, BenQ V2400W is the world’s first glimpse into BenQ’s newly evolved ‘Kinergy’ and expresses personal taste, social identity, lifestyle and enjoyment. The monitor is also equipped with a host of high-end technological features, but its visually arresting looks completely overshadow any other function.

Positioned as a premium luxury-lifestyle product, the V2400W incorporates HDMI with HDCP, DVI-D, and VGA inputs for future-proof high-definition connectivity as well as compatibility, according to BenQ.

BenQ's proprietary Senseye+photo™ Human Vision Technology provides vividly realistic, true-to-life colors. The V2400W has five preset modes including Dynamic, Photo, Standard, Movie, and sRGB -- to simplify optimized viewing at the touch of a button. It is NSTL-compliant for superior color precision consistent from monitor to printer to digital camera to any visual device. Moreover, it incorporates BenQ's Advanced Motion Accelerator technology (AMA) for super-fast 2ms GTG response time.

Specifications:

• Pixel Pitch - 0.27 mm

• Dimension WDH mm - 563.8x369.4x191.7 (HxWxD mm)

• Screen Size - 24.0" Wide

• Resolution - Glossy

• Color Temperature Selection - Reddish / sRGB / Bluish / User mode

• Display Colors - 16.7 million

• Brightness - 250 cd/㎡

• Weight (Kgs) - 6.7 KG

• Input Signals - D-sub / DVI-D/ HDMI/ Earphone

• Included Accessories - VGA signal cable

• Display Area - 518.5x324 (mm)

• Adjustments - Tilt (down/ up) -5 / 20

• Viewing angle - 160 / 160

• Contrast Ratio - 1000:1 (Typ.) / 4000:1 (DCR)

• Frequency - Vertical Frequency(Hz) 25~135 (MHz)

• Frequency - Horizontal Frequency(kHz) 31~83 (KHz)

• Response Time - 5ms / 2ms(GTG)

• Power consumption - 55W (max)

• Power Supply - Built-in
  

BenQ V2400W LCD monitor is available at BenQ IT Zones and through BenQ dealers for Rs. 25,000 /-.

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Asus introduces Netbook in India - Eee PC 1000H & 904H

Asus joins force with Intel to launch Eee PC™ 1000H Netbook which features New Intel(R) ATOMTM Processor Targeting New Generation Segment in India. Also announces the launch of the new Eee PC™ 904H.

ASUS in association with Intel and Microsoft announced yesterday the launch of India's first netbook - Eee PC™ 1000H powered by Intel(R) AtomTM processor. This innovative offering from ASUS aims at changing the way computing is perceived by user segments like housewives, senior citizens, travelers, social networking enthusiasts, teenagers and for people who desire an extra PC for basic computing applications, listening to music, e-mailing and surfing the Internet.

Conceived to meet the needs of users who covet the inimitable portability, this revolutionary ultra portable computing device features large 10" display, ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine for longer battery lifespan of upto five hours, Dolby Sound Room, built-in Bluetooth and a keyboard that's 95% size of generic notebooks facilitating easier typing and relaxed usage. Furthermore, the netbook pairs a 1.3M Pixel webcam with its wireless Internet connection capabilities for web conferences anywhere, anytime for easier web communications and increased work efficiency.

Along with the Eee PC™ 1000H, ASUS has also announced the launch of the new Eee PC™ 904H featuring an 8.9" screen, 1024x600 resolution display and ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine for longer battery lifespan upto 4.5 hours.


ASUS 1000H & 904H Specifications:

















Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Benson Lin, General Manager, APAC, Middle East & Africa, ASUS, said, "With the introduction of Eee PC 904H and 1000H, ASUS brings to India a new segment of netbooks for today's new age customers who have an innate desire to be connected all the time and see personalized, mobile technology as the way to meet that need."

Mr. Stanley Wu, Product Manager, Notebooks and Eee PC, ASUS (India), said, "ASUS for the first time introduced the Eee PC segment to the world. The worldwide acceptance of the Eee PC™ range of netbooks is symbolic of its simplicity, robust build quality and user-friendliness. Taking a leaf out from the book of innovations, we are proud to introduce ASUS Eee PC™ 904H and 1000H, offering complete mobility and accessibility to the generation of highly mobile customers."

"The Eee PC™ has been received very positively from all over the world as an affordable Internet-centric device", said Gopal Swaminathan, General Manager - OEM Business, Intel South Asia. "The Eee PC™ uses the Intel(r) Atom(tm) processor, based on an entirely new microarchitecture specifically for small devices and low power, while maintaining the Intel(r) Core(tm) 2 Duo instruction set compatibility. This is our smallest processor built with the world's smallest transistors and a fundamental shift in design, small yet powerful enough to enable a big Internet experience on devices such as the Eee PC™."

Both the revolutionary products are pre-installed with Windows XP, Microsoft Works, ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine for longer battery lifespan, fast and complete connectivity (Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Wi-Fi 802.11n), Eee Connect for an easy way to connect two or more users through a remote desktop feature for easy troubleshooting, and generous storage capacity in the form of 80GB SATA hard disk drive. The use of a SATA drive provides fast data transfers, and enables users to carry more data along with them than previously possible – making it the most convenient computing device for everyone.

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Google launches Knol - a Wiki with bylines

Google has just launched Knol (which was announced in December), their new author driven knowledge project that appears to be a direct response to services like Wikipedia and Mahalo. Its an exciting new project which they call a “Knowledge Portal,” hence the codename Knol. Its a place where people can share and collaborate on authoritative articles focusing on their areas of expertise. Knol allows people to write about their areas of expertise under their bylines in a twist on encyclopaedia Wikipedia, which allows anonymity.

Its like an alternative to Wikipedia. Each article is created by a team of authors who receive attribution. The big news here is that by assigning ownership and allowing authors to include AdSense ads on their articles, Google is effectively offering a monetary incentive to create good content. In theory, the best articles will get the most attention, and in turn the most revenue.

Knols include strong community tools which allow for many modes of interaction between readers and authors. Other users can submit changes in the article, but they are not displayed until they are moderated by article’s original authors. This allows authors to accept suggestions from everyone in the world while remaining in control of their content. So it’s more like a moderated Wikipedia.
What Google says about Knol :-

We are deeply convinced that authorship, knowing who wrote what, helps readers trust the content. The name of the service is a play on an individual unit of knowledge and entries on the public website, knol.google.com, are called "knols", said Cedric DuPont, product manager for Knol.

The key principle behind Knol is authorship. Every knol will have an author (or group of authors) who put their name behind their content. It’s their knol, their voice, their opinion. We expect that there will be multiple knols on the same subject, and we think that is good. The key idea behind the knol project is to highlight authors. Books have authors’ names right on the cover, news articles have bylines, scientific articles always have authors — but somehow the web evolved without a strong standard to keep authors names highlighted. We believe that knowing who wrote what will significantly help users make better use of web content. At the heart, a knol is just a web page; we use the word “knol” as the name of the project and as an instance of an article interchangeably. It is well-organized, nicely presented, and has a distinct look and feel, but it is still just a web page. Google will provide easy-to-use tools for writing, editing, and so on, and it will provide free hosting of the content. Writers only need to write; we’ll do the rest.


As explained by Google in their official Knol site :-

• The Knol site has one goal: to help you share what you know.
  
  The Knol project is a site that hosts many knols — units of knowledge — written about various subjects. The authors of the knols can take credit for their writing, provide credentials, and elicit peer reviews and comments. Users can provide feedback, comments, related information. So the Knol project is a platform for sharing information, with multiple cues that help you evaluate the quality and veracity of information.
  
  Knols are indexed by the big search engines, of course. And well-written knols become popular the same as regular web pages. The Knol site allows anyone to write and manage knols through a browser on any computer.
  
  
  
• What subjects can users write on?
  
  (Almost) anything you like. You pick the subject and write it the way you see fit. We don't edit knols nor do we try to enforce any particular viewpoint – your knol should be written as you want it to be written. Of course, Knols are
  subject to Terms of Service and Content Policy to ensure a good experience for all users and compliance with applicable laws.
  
  
  
• What if someone else has already written an article on that subject?
  
  No problem, you can still write your own article. In fact, the Knol project is a forum for encouraging individual voices and perspectives on topics. As mentioned, no one else can edit your knol (unless you permit it) or mandate how you write about a topic. If you do a search on a topic, you may very well see more than one knol in the search results. Of course, people are free to disagree with you, to write their own knols, to post comments and ratings.
  
  
  
• Can users collaborate with other authors?
  
  Of course. For each knol you can choose to write on your own or collaborate with other authors.
  
  
  
• Can users search for knols on a specific subject?
  
  Yes, you can search on Google or other search engines to find knols, like any other web pages. You can also use the Search button found on the Knol homepage and each knols to search.

The interface of Knol is based on the increasingly ubiquitous Google Docs rich text editor and it’s pretty spiffy. Knol also creates a page for each author and it makes it part of the Knol universe, thus giving people more recognition.

Knol is playing catch-up against a more established brand - Wikipiedia. It has been rumored that Google is upset about Wikipedia dominating it’s search results and therefore released this open-author information sharing website to compete for some top results. Though Wikipedia has a fore over Knol, it can still be bypassed. Google can use its power as the leading traffic supplier on the Internet and to promote Knol by placing its articles in front of others in the search results. Though, as of now Knol is mostly about medical and health articles. Let’s see if this will sustain its momentum.

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Danamics liquid metal-based LM10 CPU cooler

Denmark-based Danamics has developed its first product, and it looks pretty special. The LM10 is a liquid metal based CPU cooler that combines liquid metal with an electromagnetic pump. It is claimed to be the world’s best performing air-cooler and have cooling capabilities that exceed those of most water-cooling systems.

Cooling of semiconductor hot-spots has developed into a demanding task. In recent years the high power density of microchips has increased rapidly, thereby increasing temperature and temperature non -uniformity on die and across chips. The drive for extremely low thermal resistance if further accelerated by the trend towards smaller system enclosures which has made the cooling task even more difficult. This gives the cooling companies a new challenge. To create cooling devices that is reliable, efficient and compact. Danamics does all of those.

Danamics got a lot of attention a while back when stories started to go around that it had a new kind of CPU cooling in development. It was said that Danamics had been able to harvest the power of liquid metal. Not much information could be found on the website, until now. Danamics has updated it with what it calls the worlds first commercially available liquid metal based CPU cooler - Danamics LM10. Danamics mentions two key characteristics when describing the pump: the unique electromagnetic pump with its patent pending multi-string design and the liquid metal with its superior thermo physical characteristics.

An electromagnetic pump has the advantage that it has no moving parts and emits no noise or even the slightest vibration. Danamics says that it's new multi-string electromagnetic pump eliminates the need for a high current requirement and delivers a high flow with minimal current input. The mere size of the pump also makes it very flexible and it could be used even for laptops.

The liquid metal is a key component in Danamics cooling systems. Liquid metal has two major advantages when cooling high power density heat sources:

• Firstly it has superior thermo physical properties that decrease temperature - and temperature non–uniformity - on die and across chips.

• Secondly the electrical properties of the liquid metal enables efficient, reliable and ultra compact electromagnetic pumping without the use of moving parts, shafts, seals, etc.Liquid Metal has numerous key advantages compared to competing technologies, such as water-cooling or traditional air cooling. The most important ones are:

Ultimate performance

Danamics LM10 is the world’s best performing air-cooler. By utilizing the unique properties of liquid metal, the cooler has the lowest thermal resistance of any air-cooler in the market. The cooling capabilities exceeds most watercoolers in a single device.


Easy mounting

Compared to competing solutions, the Danamics LM10 is a true all-in-one product. There are no external housings, large reservoirs or bulky radiators. With liquid metal cooling you have true performance in a compact, self-contained unit. This makes mounting a breeze and the Danamics LM10 cooler can be mounted in minutes.


No moving parts

The superior liquid metal brings another advantage besides its efficiency. The properties of liquid metal make the use of an electromagnetic pump possible. Danamics’ patent pending multi-string pump delivers high flow combined with a very low power-draw of less than 1W.


No noise and no vibration

Compared to watercooling pumps, the electromagnetic pump used in Danamics LM10 cooler has numerous benefits. It is hermetically sealed and has no moving parts, which means that no noise or vibration is added to the system from the electromagnetic pump. Also the pump is orientation independent, which ensures maximum flexibility for users and system integrators.


Innovative technology

Danamics LM10 is built from the ground up using innovative technology. The combination of liquid metal and an electromagnetic pump is all new in commercial cooling devices, bringing true high-tech to your desktop.

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Download with BearFlix

Downloading videos is something of an obsession with many netizens. However, slow download times can be daunting. BearFlix is the fastest video download application on the Web offering access to millions of video titles, all free. BearFlix is powered by the same engine as BearShare, but optimized from the ground up for video download. BearFlix is 100% clean, with no adware, no spyware, no viruses, no trojans. Just pure video downloads.

BearFlix roars out of the cave with swarming, hashing, fast downloads and a video player, but hibernates when confronted with proxies. Sometimes there are issues with proxies. The configuration process is very easy and the toolbar and icon interface is simple and easy to use. If you are an advanced user then you can take advantage of the configuration options. BearFlix almost configures itself, and its toolbar and icon interface is geared toward novices. (Configuration options help advanced users suit the program to taste.)

Based on the popular BearShare, and connected to the Gnutella network, this utility is optimized for video files. Simply enter a search term, and find files immediately. As with all P2P networks, there's no guarantee the files are available, accurately named, or virus-free. However, BearFlix's file-rating option helps users self-police spam off the network. It is safe to use and will not affect your computer with adware, spyware, viruses or trojans. All you get is great videos.

Although downloads were fast, system memory used was considerable. In the freeware version there is a banner ad and slightly slower download speeds. Advanced users will note configuring BearFlix is easy but will be disappointed the program lacks proxy server support. Novice peer-to-peer users will find BearFlix a great entry-level P2P program, but most users will prefer an application geared to files of all types.

Key features:

• BearFlix is optimized client for fast download of video files
• Connect to more sources and download video faster
• Find more free video files with a 'deep search' mechanism
• Reliable free downloads - automatic resume mechanism
• Improved user interface, designed for Video downloads
• Video specific media player
• Automatic Virus protection
• Configurable Parental controls
• Easy to use, just install, and GO!
• Download videos online for free!

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XFX 9800 GTX+ Gives Gamers The Ultimate Bang for Very Good Price

XFX’s newest release, the GeForce 9800 GTX+ graphics card disproves a common theory in the gaming world—that a modestly priced card delivers only modest performance. In fact, XFX’s 9800 GTX+ turns that notion on its ear, and then some.

With 128 screaming fast cores that each run a new record high 1836 MHz, the GeForce 9800 GTX+ graphics card is truly the Tasmanian Devil of the category. Faster than any graphics card in attractive price range, the XFX 9800 GTX+ simultaneously delivers the most exceptional gaming experience possible—even at extreme HD resolutions.

The XFX 9800 GTX+ is loaded with all of the features hardcore gamers have come to expect, such as PhysX™ technology that transforms the overall gaming experience with realistic facial movements, weather effects and explosions. NVIDIA CUDA technology and new CUDA runtime for Windows Vista enables users to offload intensive processing tasks from their CPUs to their graphics card. It has 128 processor cores for maximum performance across an endless array of computing tasks. HybridPower technology allows users to save power by shifting to their motherboard’s onboard graphics (HybridSLI capable motherboard required) when running less graphically intense applications.

Fully optimized gaming can be achieved by running three XFX GeForce 9800 GTX+ graphics cards in three-way NVIDIA SLI mode on one of XFX’s nForce 780i SLI or 790i SLI motherboards. The three-way SLI systems generate up to a 2.8X performance increase over a single graphics card. And, the XFX GeForce 9800 GTX+ is designed for the PCI Express 2.0 bus architecture featured in nForce 7 series and GeForce 8 series motherboards, ensuring the highest data transfer speeds for today’s bandwidth-hungry games and 3D applications. Users can even fine-tune their performance with the 9800 GTX+’s ESA-enabled control panel.

The XFX 9800 GTX+ features a second generation NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology engine which ensures unsurpassed High Def movie picture quality thanks to features such as dynamic contrast enhancement, colour stretch video processing and dual-stream picture-in-picture content.

The 9800GTX+ graphics card will be available with Rashi Peripherals and its nationwide branches across India at an estimated street price of Rs 16,000 along with 3 years warranty.

To learn more about the XFX log on to XFX Force.

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