Remote clients using WWW Proxy, Reports and User Auth.

[zsayed]

Hi

I am currently trialling WinGate 7.2.2 and, so far, been quite impressed with its' user friendliness and ease of use. The main interest for us is to monitor internet usage and offer another level of security with the AV and Content Filter plug-ins.

I am now happy with how it works internally for all clients and have been using the Timeline feature to track internet usage. Is there an easy way to report/export that info into, for instance, CSV format?

Secondly - i have successfully imported all users from Active Directory into WinGate but it does not automatically show the authenticated users (next to the computer) in the Activity view. Am i missing a configuration or setting change?

Finally - to date i have only configured desktop pcs to use the WinGate Proxy Service. How could the Proxy Service be made available to external remote clients when i decide to configure laptops for those users who work inside and outside the LAN?

Thanks in advance.
Zaahir

[erwin]

Hi Zaahir

Re timeline:
Since the Timeline info its stored in a database file (mdb - Microsoft Jet Engine by default) you can use suitable query tool like Access or Crystal Reports etc to extract the information you need. The choice of tool will of course depend on the type of database you have chosen to use for the Timeline.

Re Authenticated users
How are you getting WinGate to authenticate each user? Users must be authenticated before WinGate will know who they are. Authentication can be done through policy or Web Access control rules which when based around particular users, will have WinGate force the client to authenticate when they do not know who they are.
more info here

Re Proxy service
It is possible to bind the WWW Proxy server to an external network interface so the remote mobile users on the Internet can try to use the proxy. HOWEVER this is NOT RECOMMENDED since doing this will expose the service to the Internet allowing others to attempt to connect and use the proxy.

[zsayed]

Erwin,

Many thanks for your response.

Re Authenticated users - i assumed there would be some automatic auth so i guess that is where i went wrong. I will look at policies and/or Web Access control rules to authenticate users.

Re Proxy service - may i ask what your recommended approach is for laptop/remote users?

Thanks again
Zaahir

[erwin]

Hi Zaahir

I take it the remote laptop users will be accessing the proxy via the Internet. Since they will already have access to the Internet, to make the connection to the external interface of WinGate WWW Proxy, I'm wondering what purpose this will serve to have them re-access the Internet through this proxy.

If you want to have remote clients use the proxy, then perhaps as a suggestion, you could implement using a VPN to connect them into the the LAN, and then have them use the proxy as part of the local network they have joined.

As for managing their actual settings:
You could look at creating different network profiles for the laptop users, to differentiate between when they are on the LAN or when they are working remotely. Obviously you will have to find out about setting up network profiles with the software the laptops are using.

Erwin