Squid is a caching proxy server that can help reduce internet bandwidth usage and improving response time of loading a website by caching and re-using frequently opened web page. Squid reduce the bandwidth usage and accelerate the website loading by caching static website objects such as images, flash objects and text files, with some modification Squid can cache larger files such as PDF, MP3, executables, flash videos, etc.
In this tutorial we will install Squid NT which is a fork from Linux version of Squid to Windows 7 (seven). To begin with the installation, first download the package from here: Squid NT and then extract it to C:\ drive. After extracting the content of package you should see a folder named ‘squid’ on C:\ drive, the full path should be C:\squid. Another way is first extract the zip package on where you save it and then move the ‘squid’ directory to C:\
Modifying configuration file
Now we need to modify some files before we configuring Squid. Go to ‘etc’ folder on C:\squid\etc\ you’ll see these files:
- cachemgr.conf.default
- mime.conf.default
- squid.conf.default
- squid_radius_auth.conf.default
You need to copy and rename these files:
- cachemgr.conf.default -> cachemgr.conf
- mime.conf.default -> mime.conf
- squid.conf.default -> squid.conf
From the three configuration files we only need to configure squid.conf file. The configuration file cachemgr.conf and mime.conf by default will be sufficient for our basic setup.
The default setting on squid.conf generally is ready to use, but you need to make note on these parts:
1. Search for ‘acl localnet src’ you’ll see:
You can comment out the settings that are not applicable for your network configuration, in my case I use 10.0.0.0/8 network configuration so I’ll comment out the other two lines as I don’t need it. You can comment by adding hash key ‘#’. The end result would be like this:
2. Search for ‘dns_nameservers’
Under the explanation, you should add your ISP dns nameservers. The format should look like this:
Now save the changes and close the file. Until these steps, it should be enough to start Squid, you can modify the configuration later on.
Installing Squid service
These steps will install the Squid service so we can restart Squid from Windows’ Control Panel.
1. First we have to disable User Account Control (UAC) settings to be able to install Squid service. Go to: “Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings” and move the bar to “Never Notify”, you need to restart Windows 7 to make the settings effective.
Change UAC settings to be able to setup Squid as service
2. After reboot, open command prompt by clicking on Windows Logo (start), then type ‘Command Prompt’ on the search box and press enter.
Search for "Command Prompt" and press enter
3. Go to Squid’s sbin directory by typing:
4. Install Squid service with this command (please re-types this and not copy paste to make sure you have the correct character code):
Squid service installation
5. Setup Squid’s cache (please re-types this and not copy paste to make sure you have the correct character code):
You should get this information:
6. After Squid service is installed and the cache is created, now let’s start the service by going to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Services. Look for ‘Squid’, select it and press the start button.
Open the service manager
Start Squid service
Now if you see on the Task Manager > Services, you can see Squid service have a Running status.
Squid process on task manager
7. As Squid service is up and running, we need to configure the browser to access the internet via proxy server. On Internet Explorer go to Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings, give check on “Use a proxy server for your LAN …” and fill the Address field with your Squid server IP Address (in this case your PC IP address) with the Port 3128 (standard Squid port, you can modify this on squid.conf), click OK twice to save the settings.
Internet Explorer options
Click on LAN Settings
Add your PC IP address and Port 3128
8. Next step is to test whether our configuration is correct. Go to this site:www.whatismyipaddress.com and you should see “Proxy Server Detected!” message, something similar like this:
Check whether Squid working correctly
9. As everything is working, now we need to re-enable User Account Control (UAC). Go to: “Control Panel > System and Security > Change User Account Control settings” and move the bar to “Default” it’s the 3rd bar, you need to restart Windows 7 to make the settings effective.