Newbie questions - using Amahi as a Proxy?

[Dunk]

Hello all.

About to take the plunge and convert an old tower PC to run as a Media server on Amahi. No problems, got my head round that bit.

Then I got to thinking if I could use Amahi as a Proxy - couldn't find a great deal of info in the Wiki, and I'm getting into the ins and outs of LAN architecture now - which is a long way outside of my (limited) knowledge. So help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (Please excuse any really stupid questions - I know what a proxy server does, but the nuances of how it does it are lost on me)

Setup is thus;
Cable connection, managed by carrier's modem - dynamic IP assigned by the carrier. One ethernet port.
Linksys wireless router with four Ethernet ports
Amahi Server with NIC and Wireless

Devices using the router currently - all wireless;
2 x Blackberry phones
1 x Android phone
1 x Blackberry playbook
1 x Amazon Kindle
3 x Linux (Ubuntu and Meego)
1 x WinXp
1 x Win7

With three kids in the house, I'd like to exercise some content control - hence the desire for Proxy server. Question which I couldn't find any answers to;

1) Can Amahi function as a proxy?
2) Where would it sit in the LAN? On the router, or between router and Modem?
3) Will it work with the above devices? (the Kindle and QNX Playbook I'm thinking might present a problem?)
4) Is a server running as a proxy and a media server (will have all family photos/files/etc) a good idea?

5) A biggie - I work from home, and we use AT&T Network Client for the VPN. It seems to be a fairly relaxed bit of software (didn't require any specific router settings), but is that going to present a problem for the proxy?

Lastly, is there a 'Amahi for Dummies' guide anywhere?

Thanks in advance!

Dunk

[bigfoot65]

1) Can Amahi function as a proxy?

I believe you could put a proxy service in place on the HDA. Check out the wiki for guidance.

http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/Squid
Dunk

Keep in mind this was contributed by a user for earlier versions of Fedora, so it may need some tweaking for Fedora 14. Also we do not currently support this, so you are on your own.

2) Where would it sit in the LAN? On the router, or between router and Modem?
Dunk

The HDA will still function as your media server as well as a proxy server. It will reside between the router and your clients.

3) Will it work with the above devices? (the Kindle and QNX Playbook I'm thinking might present a problem?)
Dunk

As for compatibility with wireless clients (i.e. Kindle), it should work providing they have browser or media streaming capabilities.

4) Is a server running as a proxy and a media server (will have all family photos/files/etc) a good idea?
Dunk

Not a bad idea I don't think, but others may not agree. I believe there are some doing it this way now.

5) A biggie - I work from home, and we use AT&T Network Client for the VPN. It seems to be a fairly relaxed bit of software (didn't require any specific router settings), but is that going to present a problem for the proxy?
Dunk

I can't say whether the AT&T VPN client will be an issue or not. Best way to tell is try it.

Lastly, is there a 'Amahi for Dummies' guide anywhere?
Dunk

The wiki is your best source of info and the forums. Most simple things are fairly straight forward.

Good luck and hope it helps.

[moredruid]

Hmmm, I'm still running Fedora 12 and I've updated the tutorial (and added a link to the front page).

I've also created a content filtering page (e.g. for parental control) with squidGuard on the wiki. The page focuses on blocking porn and adult material but you can create more/different rules such as blocking warez, malware, proxies, ads, etc. http://wiki.amahi.org/index.php/SquidGuard

I suspect F14 not to be _that_ different, F16 may or not be very different, I don't know.