Multi-Tech ProxyServer

Though

the name of this product is ProxyServer, it actually does much more. The

Dual-Ethernet Proxy has two 10BaseT Ethernet ports, and one RS232/V.35 port.

These three can be used to create various configurations for a small business

setup. For example, you could connect one port to your internal network, and the

second to an Internet access device, like an ISDN router or any other

Ethernet-based Internet connection. All computers connected to the internal

network will then use this Internet access device. The RS232 port can be used to

connect a modem or an ISDN Terminal Adapter. The proxy can then be configured to

automatically dial the modem to connect to an ISP.

The ProxyServer is also a firewall. One of its Ethernet ports

connects your internal network, and the other connects your Internet servers.

The firewall can then filter packets between the two networks. You can also

configure it to accept all incoming traffic, or deny access to specific

protocols, ports, and services. For example, you can deny access to specific IP

addresses, or block FTP access, etc. However, it doesn’t allow further

fine-tuning. For example, the HTTP proxy can’t filter out Java and ActiveX

traffic. We also missed logging and monitoring features.

Installing the box is fairly simple. If you have an Ethernet

Internet connection, like an ISDN router, then connect it to one port on the

box. The second port, of course, goes on the internal network. Each port is then

assigned an IP address, and you have to define the Internet gateway.

Alternatively, you can define the device connected to the RS232 port as the

gateway as well. The ProxyServer can act as a DHCP server and automatically

assign IP addresses to clients on the internal network. They will then be

automatically configured to access the Internet through the Multi-tech

ProxyServer.

The ProxyServer can be configured through a Web browser,

telnet, or a direct connection to a PC. Its performance was pretty good.

However, the manual and online documentation could be better with more detailed

explanations about the controls. The online version has links to some more

technical information, which is pretty useful and has to be downloaded. The

configuration software is slightly difficult to use, and takes some time to get



used to.

Other features in the ProxyServer include Virtual Server that

enables you to have multiple servers on your LAN with one static IP address. It

has Internet access control tools that provide client and site filtering. It

also supports VPN tunneling using a standard PPTP client and external tunneling

server. The firmware on the ProxyServer can also be upgraded easily.

The ProxyServer costs Rs 29,950, plus taxes and comes with

one-year warranty. A CD with software from TUCOWS also accompanies the product.

It’s a good solution for small companies who need Internet access and basic

firewall features.

Anuj Jain at PCQ Labs