Host proxy sites or not

[hostparlor]

I was confronted by a customer today, they asked whether or not i host proxy sites! What are the ups and downs of hosting proxy sites?

 

[iHubNet-Matt]

If you run a proxy site on a dedicated server or a VPS it would be fine. Proxy can be configured to run for restricted users and with authentication enabled. By this way it would be more safe.

 

[hostparlor]

Could you pm me instructions for enabling the user to be able to run a proxy site? or just post it on here? Currently using a ded. server.

 

[iHubNet-Matt]

First thing you have to check is whether your host allows proxy in their network. Many hosts won't allow it in their network, so check their TOS/AUP and make sure it is legal for them.
Are you using apache as proxy? In that case you can add an ACL to restrict the users.

 

[noinstalllanchat]

nothing wrong with hosting a proxy site. make sure you have a dedicated server with alot of bandwidth. you'll probably need to have ads on ur main site to cover the bandwidth costs.

 

[Camron]

nothing wrong with hosting a proxy site. make sure you have a dedicated server with alot of bandwidth. you'll probably need to have ads on ur main site to cover the bandwidth costs.

Bandwidth is really the least of the issues; usually CPU and Memory is eaten up by poorly made proxy scripts.

I would not recommend allowing them on a shared environment. 98% of shared hosts disallow proxies for a reason.

 

[Cicero]

Camron said it all.

Allowing proxies on shared hosts makes the server really slow. Also you would be loosing your other customers due to slow speed.

The bandwidth too is a problem. A lot of bandwidth is sucked up as you will be getting info from the site ( mostly download ) and then send it to the user ( upload ).

This would definitely push up your expenditures.

 

[champ_rock]

1. BW is not an issue as Camron already mentioned. u can always charge higher from ur customers if he uses more BW

2. the real issue is of server usage / RAM

the reason that most hosts disallow proxies is due to the fact that many are overselling and proxies generally tend to use almost all the resources. therefore if u are overselling as 20GB bw in the hope that customer will use 3-4GB, then u are in trouble because with proxies u can be sure that the customer WILL use about 18-19GB

 

[loko123]

proxy are resource consuming, so think it well before accepting proxified sites

 

[iHubNet-Matt]

When you need a proxy, make it restricted and don't open to public. This way we can prevent the misuse of BW.

 

[Sherlock]

ask him what kind of proxy script he is using. is it cgi? then dont accept

 

[weblord]

separate regular hosting customers from web proxy customers.
it's because of the ip address once someone reports an issue with the ip, then even regular customers are affected.

 

[Noner]

Do not allow them on shared or reseller hosting. Only allow them on VPS or dedicated servers as then it will be the problem of the customer. Don't let yourself have problems because of RAM and CPU.

 

[Pointer]

I have big network of Proxies by myself, so I can advice you... do not host them.

There are 2 kinds of proxy scripts.
PHP proxy
and
CGI proxy

PHPproxy burn much bandwitch, and use CPU much.

Cgi proxies use small amounts of bandwitch, but use heck a lot CPU power, and will burn your's server RAM.

Hope that helps,

Pointer.