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Solutions

• 1.   The Beginning. 
• 2.   Surprise 1:  LAN inoperable.
• 3.   Surprise 2.  LAN hub cannot be used for cable modem.  
• 4.   Surprise 3.  LAN Client Security problem. 
• 5.   Surprise 4.  LAN Server Security Problem. 

• Acknowledgments.

1.   The Beginning.  

Links to background information about cable modems.   

• Cable DataCom News.  Industry news.   Tracks the development of high-speed cable data services.  Cable Modem Info Center.
• Com21 Cable Modem.  This is a modem used by many ISPs. 

NOTE: Set up and debug your LAN before connecting your cable modem or installing a proxy.  This separates potential setup problems.  Note that a hub is not required for a 2-PC LAN.

• Fluke PC Inspector Network Assistant.  Win 95, Win NT.  Check PC's configuration; Perform connectivity tests; Change PC's configuration; Document a PC's configuration.   Free download.
• Practical Networking.  All kinds of help. 

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2.   Surprise 1:  LAN inoperable. 

The selected proxy server was Wingate.  Reviews indicated that this was probably the most broadly used proxy server.  V3 is now distributed with some new PCs such as Compaq.  Originally, it was intended for telephone modems.   It has evolved to support xDSL, ISDN, cable modems, cable modem/telephone combinations. and T1.  Wingate links include:

• WinGate Proxy Server, Firewall, and DHCP Server for Windows 95 and NT WinGate  download site.
• Wingate Deerfield forum.   This support forum is very useful.
• Deerfield.Com.  Wingate support site.  Provides related products including FTPServ-U, FTP Voyager, MDaemon, RelayFax, ZanNet.
• qbik- Wingate.  The home source for Wingate in New Zealand.

Other proxy servers and related software options can be located by searching the download services.  These options include:

• aVert Gateway Server
• ComSocks using SOCKS 4/5
• Internet LanBridge.   Requires IPX. Limited Application support. Hub modem connection.
• Microsoft Proxy Server 2.0

• Rideway Proxy
• Software602
• Sygate.  Technically, this is a gateway rather than a proxy server.
• Vicomsoft.  Windows / MacOS connectivity.

• Windows 95/98 Servers.   Index with brief descriptions, pricing, links.
• WinProxy.  This appears to be a close relative or derivative of Wingate.

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3.   Surprise 2.  LAN hub cannot be used for cable modem. 

The solution required installation of a second NIC for the cable modem as well as the proxy server.

Since the initial selection of the Wingate proxy server worked, no further alternatives were investigated.

Wingate was installed with no installation problems except a minor issue on the modem TCP/IP parameters.  The setup parameters that were used are shown in a Sample Setup.

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4.   Surprise 3.  Security problem:   ISP Users can access each other. 

A description of security problems appears at:

• Cable Modem Security:  What you don't know.  PC World News Radio.  Oct 30, 1997

Providing security for the Proxy Clients.  Research, principally at the Wingate.net site, provided their recommendations for securing the site using their proxy server.  These included Wingate settings, denying off file and print sharing, and using passwords.  The Wingate setup parameters that were used are shown in a Sample Setup and Wingate's description of security issues is reproduced at Wingate Security..

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5.  Surprise 4.  LAN Server Security Problem.   ISP Users can access each other. 

Providing security for the Proxy Server.   Wingate advised that the proxy software would only secure clients and not the proxy server. 

In addition, since Windows NT was used on the server, it was also possible to monitor site access attempts by intruders with the Event Viewer. 

These additional steps to secure the proxy server are described in Local Security.

The solutions outlined are dependent on the specific configuration of each in-house LAN and network services. 

(Note, Apr 20. 1998. The CableVision Total-Web changeover from Windows NT to Unix did not correct this problem.)

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to the linked sites shown in this site for information available at those sites.

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Last Updated July 29, 2002 10:21:25 PM