Proxy server
2. A proxy is a computer server or software program that is part of the gateway server or another computer that separates a local network from outside networks. A proxy server will cache all pages accessed through the network allowing users who may wish to visit that same page to load it faster and reduce the networks bandwidth. When a page is accessed that is not in the proxy server's cache, the proxy server will access the page using its own IP address, cache the page, and forward it to the user accessing that page.
Programs and devices that connect to the Internet may ask for a proxy, proxy address, or proxy server. This information is only required if you are connecting to an proxy in order to connect to the Internet. If you are not sure, it is likely you do not have a proxy and this information can be left blank or if available select the option to auto-detect network settings.
To setup a software proxy server and share an Internet connection VIA modem or other Internet connection may wish to consider any of the below software products. Alternatively if you want to share an Internet connection we recommend using a network router.
Also see: Application gateway, BNC, Cache server, ICS, Network definitions, Website based proxy