Overview
This article provides relevant information regarding Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD), and the required steps to enable the feature in GFI WEbMonitor.
Process
The Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) is an Internet protocol supported by major Internet browsers. It enables web browsers to automatically retrieve proxy settings from a WPAD data file stored on a machine on your network.
Note: This feature is not available for GFI WebMonitor installed as a plug-in for Microsoft Forefront TMG.
WPAD is a convenient way for administrators to configure client machines to use the GFI WebMonitor machine as a proxy server without having to supply settings manually or via Active Directory Group Policies. When this feature is enabled and the Internet browser connection settings are configured to 'Automatically Detect Settings', each client machine will automatically determine the IP address of the GFI WebMonitor server and use it as a proxy without further configuration.
WPAD is particularly useful when you want to configure roaming devices, e.g., laptops, tablets, etc., to use GFI WebMonitor as the proxy server when they are in the office.
Note: For client Internet browsers to use WPAD, these must be configured to automatically detect proxy settings.
When GFI WebMonitor is installed the first time, it tries to detect available WPAD servers. Discovered WPAD servers are listed in an information window.
To enable WPAD:
- Navigate to Core Settings > Connection Settings.
- Locate the Use WPAD switch and click ON to enable.
Note: If GFI WebMonitor does not discover any WPAD Servers on your network, this option is disabled. Click Repeat WPAD detection to check for available servers.
- A warning is displayed informing you that by enabling WPAD, the server information is updated and it may create network conflicts. These conflicts may arise when you have multiple GFI WebMonitor installations within the same network. Click Proceed to continue.
- Select one of the following options:
Option Description Publish the IP of the GFI WebMonitor proxy in WPAD Select to include the GFI WebMonitor IP address in the WPAD.dat file. Recommended when the proxy machine has a fixed IP address.
Publish the hostname of the GFI WebMonitorproxy in WPAD Select to include the GFI WebMonitor hostname in the WPAD.dat file. Recommended when the proxy machine has a dynamic IP address.
- Click Save.