[GavRob]

Proxy switch "proxy on" & " proxy off" software / reg edit

Does any one know of a free piece of software to do this ? i have been through google and have not found anything suitable.

What i want to do is have on icon were staff can click and run a program on there laptops that will, in school use the proxy in internet explorer and at home will turn it off.

I know they can do this in the settings but, well, how do I put it.........erm ......it is a bit complicated for them.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers Gav

[webman]

I think someone posted something like this a while ago on a laptop thread.

It's doable in VBScript (create separate on/off shortcuts to it and using parameters for control) or an AutoIT with a basic GUI.

Edit: here's one I made earlier 8)

Set WSHSHell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
Dim Key,Phoenix,Redlist,ProxyServer,Args,Num,UseProxy

Key = "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\"
Phoenix = "10.0.0.1:8080"
Redlist = "redlist.server.pavilion.net:1669"

ProxyServer = Phoenix


Set Args = WScript.Arguments
Num = Args.Count


If Num = 0 Then
   MsgBox "Usage: [CScript | WScript] proxy.vbs <On|Off> <server:port> <Yes|No>" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & "On|Off" & vbTab & vbTab & "-- Toggle access via proxy." & vbCrLf & "server:port" & vbTab & "-- Proxy server & port combo" & vbCrLf & "Yes|No" & vbTab & vbTab & "-- Confirmation of on or off message" & vbCrlf & vbCrLf & "i.e. 'proxy.vbs On 10.0.0.1:8080 Yes' to use proxy and display confirmation ", vbInformation, "Proxy"
   WScript.Quit 1
End If


For i = 0 to Num-1

	Cmd = Args.Item(i)

	Select Case Cmd
	
		Case "On":
   	UseProxy = TRUE
		
		Case "Off":
		UseProxy = FALSE

		Case "Yes":
		Confirm = TRUE
		
		Case "No":
		Confirm = FALSE
		
		Case Else:
		ProxyServer = Cmd

	End Select 

Next


If UseProxy = TRUE Then

	WshShell.RegWrite key & "ProxyEnable", 1, "REG_DWORD"
	WshShell.RegWrite key & "ProxyServer", ProxyServer, "REG_SZ"
	ConfirmText = "Internet access via proxy is enabled through:" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & ProxyServer
	ConfirmIcon = vbInformation
	ConfirmCapt = "Proxy ON"
	
ElseIf UseProxy = FALSE Then

	WshShell.RegWrite key & "ProxyEnable", 0, "REG_DWORD"
	ConfirmText = "Internet access via proxy is turned *OFF*"
	ConfirmIcon = vbCritical
	ConfirmCapt = "Proxy OFF"
	
End If


If Confirm = TRUE Then

	MsgBox ConfirmText, ConfirmIcon, ConfirmCapt
	
End If

[Irazmus]

I was looking at this a while ago and eventually came up with an easier solution. I've set the "Automatic Proxy Configuration URL" (in Firefox) and "Use Automatic Configuration Script" (in IE) to a script on our internal webserver, when in school the script can be found and the proxy is used, when not in school it can't and so is ignored.

function FindProxyForURL (url, host) {
  if ( host.match("intranet1|intranet2|intranet3).your.local.domain") || dnsDomainLevels(host) == 0 ) {
    return "DIRECT";
  } else {
    return "PROXY your.proxy.server:port; DIRECT";
  }
}

[OutToLunch]

I was using ProxyPal which provided a toolbar button in IE, but found that if staff forgot to turn the proxy off before going home IE would hang for ages trying to access the proxy and the additional toolbar buttons do not show up until the first successful page load - so loads of complaints about 'You broke my internet at home!" etc despite explaining how to use it...

This is much better -

http://www.proxychanger.com/

Nice little system tray icon, simple UI, all you'll have to do is add your proxy and show them how to turn it on and off

[CyberNerd]

I use switchproxy
http://mozmonkey.com/packages/switch...witchproxy.xpi

[mac_shinobi]

MVP site regarding proxy changing

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/proxych.htm

The tool from the above site afaik

http://www.allscoop.com/dotnet-softw...xy-changer.php

Another proxy changer that seems pretty good.

http://www.codeplex.com/AdvancedProxyManager

Here is a VB script I use to enable / disable the proxy on staff laptops

Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001

intmsg = msgbox("CHANGE PROXY SETTINGS" & chr(13) & "ARE YOU AT HOME?",vbYesNo+vbQuestion,"WHERE ARE YOU?")

if intmsg = vbyes then dwvalue = 0 else dwvalue = 1

strComputer = "."
Set objRegistry = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default:StdRegProv")
 
strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings"

strValueName = "ProxyEnable"
objRegistry.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, dwValue

msgtxt = "THE PROXY SERVER HAS BEEN "
if dwvalue = 0 then msgtxt = msgtxt & "DISABLED"
if dwvalue = 1 then msgtxt = msgtxt & "ENABLED"

intmsg = msgbox(msgtxt,vbOKOnly+vbInfo,"Done")

Give a couple of popup messages too.

[mac_shinobi]

with the advanced proxy changer that I posted above it takes effect with currenty open IE windows as well, so no need to close down and re open

Proxy Changer is the same from what I have seen as well, both free too

[GavRob]

Thank you everyone.

so which method is the best ?

This will give me somthing to do this afternoon

[mac_shinobi]

Originally Posted by GavRob

Thank you everyone.

so which method is the best ?

This will give me somthing to do this afternoon

Try them out and post back and let us know which you think is best

[GavRob]

Have had a play and "advanced proxy manager" gets my vote, does exactly what i want and is easy to use

[mac_shinobi]

do you know what version of dot net it needs to run smoothly, cos when I use it , It sometimes crashes out :-S

Ive already installed dot net 1.1 so am gonna try 2.0. Am guessing its 2.0

[monkeyx]

ops:

[tom_newton]

Just FYI, you can use a *local* proxy.pac which changes the proxy depending on the local domain/IP etc.

Having said that I never got mine past "experimental" so YMMV.

[mortstar]

I use a very similar setting as Irazmus.

A proxy.pac file, stored on the school site. Teachers laptops point at this file in "Use Automatic Configuration Script". If their IP is on our range then they go through our proxy. If not they have direct access to the net.

Works a treat for all those who want to use their laptops for internet at home.