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[ Administrators Only ]


What do I need to use the Proxy Server?

 In order to use the proxy server, you will need a web browser that supports automatic proxy configuration via a script. You will also need an email account on Owlnet, RUF, IS, sparta, bioc, cs, math, ECE, MEMS, CAAM, or stat.

The following web browsers under Windows are compatible:

  • Netscape 6.x and later
  • Internet Explorer (See Note below)
  • Mozilla
  • Opera
The following web browsers on the Macintosh (OS 8.x-10.x) are compatible:
  • Netscape 6.x and later
  • Mozilla
  • Safari (manual configuration only)
  • Other MacOS Web Browsers (manual configuration only)
The following web browsers under UNIX are compatible:
  • Netscape 4.51 and later
  • Mozilla
The following web browsers on the Macintosh are NOT compatible:
  • Internet Explorer
  • Opera
The following web browsers under UNIX are NOT compatible:
  • Opera


**** Note ****
Internet Explorer 5.5 and above tries to be smart and cache the automatic proxy configuration information. This, though, causes the proxy to fail in places that it should work. There is a small registry change that needs to be made to make IE 5.5 and above work correctly under Windows.

You need to download the proxy_fix file to your desktop and double click on it to install the registry keys needed to fix Internet Explorer. The proxy_fix script can be found on software.is.rice.edu.

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Configuring Netscape and Mozilla
  1. Open Netscape/Mozilla
  2. Click on Edit
    On Macs running OS 10.x, click on Mozilla or Netscape at the top of the screen
  3. Click on Preferences
  4. In the list on the left, click on the arrow next to Advanced
  5. Click on Proxies
  6. Click on the radio button next to Automatic proxy configuration URL:
  7. Enter http://proxy.rice.edu/proxy.pac into the field next to that radio button. That screen should look like this when you have finished:

  8. Click on OK
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Configuring Internet Explorer

 In order to configure Internet Explorer to use the proxy server:
  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click on Tools
  3. Click on Internet Options
  4. Click on Connections
  5. Click on the LAN Settings button
  6. Make sure that the checkbox next to Use automatic configuration script is checked
  7. In the Address text field, type in http://proxy.rice.edu/proxy.pac
    That window should look like this when you are finished:
  8. Click on OK
  9. Click on OK
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Configuring Opera
  1. Click on File
  2. Click on Preferences
  3. In the list on the left, click on Network
  4. Click on the Proxy Servers button
  5. Check the checkbox next to Use automatic proxy configuration
  6. Enter http://proxy.rice.edu/proxy.pac into the field under the Use automatic proxy configuration checkbox
    That screen should look like this when you are finished:
  7. Click OK
  8. Click Ok
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Configuring Safari (for MacOS X)

 Please Note: This is a manual proxy configuration.

A much better solution is to use the automatic proxy configuration available in Mozilla.

This is not the best way to use the proxy server and you will have certain issues doing it this way. You will NOT be able to browse web sites that are not on the Rice University sponsored sites list. This means you will have to turn off the manual proxy before you attempt to access most of the Internet. Instructions for turning off the manual proxy are included below.
  1. Open Safari
  2. Click on Safari at the top of the screen
  3. Click on Preferences
  4. In the menu bar at the top of the window, Click on Advanced
  5. Click on the Change Settings button next to the Proxies label
  6. Click on the check box button next to Web Proxy (HTTP)
  7. Enter proxy.rice.edu into the field next to that check box button.
  8. Enter 8080 into the field labelled Port next to that.
  9. Enter proxy.rice.edu into the field next to the label Bypass proxy settings for these Hosts & Domains. That screen should look like this when you have finished:

  10. Click on Apply Now
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DeConfiguring Safari (for MacOS X)

 Please Note: This is a manual proxy configuration.
  1. Open Safari
  2. Click on Safari at the top of the screen
  3. Click on Preferences
  4. In the menu bar at the top of the window, Click on Advanced
  5. Click on the Change Settings button next to the Proxies label
  6. Uncheck the check box button next to Web Proxy (HTTP)
  7. Click on Apply Now
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Configuring Other Web browsers (for MacOS X)

 Please Note: This is a manual proxy configuration.

A much better solution is to use the automatic proxy configuration available in Mozilla.

This is not the best way to use the proxy server and you will have certain issues doing it this way. You will NOT be able to browse web sites that are not on the Rice University sponsored sites list. This means you will have to turn off the manual proxy before you attempt to access most of the Internet. Instructions for turning off the manual proxy are included below.
  1. Click on Finder in the application (docking) bar
  2. Click on Applications on the Finder window
  3. Double-Click on System Preferences
  4. Double-Click on Network
  5. Click on the Proxies tab
  6. Click on the check box button next to Web Proxy (HTTP)
  7. Enter proxy.rice.edu into the field next to that check box button.
  8. Enter 8080 into the field labelled Port next to that.
  9. Enter proxy.rice.edu into the field next to the label Bypass proxy settings for these Hosts & Domains. That screen should look like this when you have finished:

  10. Click on Apply Now
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DeConfiguring Other Web Browsers (for MacOS X)

 Please Note: This is a manual proxy configuration.
  1. Click on Finder in the application (docking) bar
  2. Click on Applications on the Finder window
  3. Double-Click on System Preferences
  4. Double-Click on Network
  5. Click on the Proxies tab
  6. Uncheck the check box button next to Web Proxy (HTTP)
  7. Click on Apply Now
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