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Proxy Server Settings | Automatic Proxy Server Setting | Bypass proxy settings
Mac OS System Web Proxy Server Settings
Eudora | Internet Explorer | Netscape (and Mozilla) | All Other Browsers

Proxy Instructions For Macintosh Users

The compulsory Aberdeen web filtering system will prevent access to the full range of resources available from the University network unless your Mac is configured to use the University's web proxy server. The web proxy server settings given here will work for any connection, either on-campus, via Aberdeen dial-up or via any other ISP dial-up service! If you are using an external ISP the University proxy server will ask for your login username and password on first access in each session. See the protected resources section if you are using the proxy server to access resources that are normally restricted to users connected to the campus network.

The Aberdeen Proxy Server Settings

Armed with a couple of settings you should be able to configure any web proxy aware software. Such software includes web browsers  and other web aware applications (such as Software Update, Eudora, iTunes, RealAudio, Quicktime Player, etc..)

The Aberdeen HTTP proxy server name is proxy.abdn.ac.uk and its port number is 8080.

The Aberdeen Automatic Proxy Server Setting (Netscape/Mozilla only)

The Netscape /Mozilla family of web browsers allow an automatic proxy server url to be used as an alternative to the real proxy server setting given above.

The Aberdeen automatic proxy server url is http://www.abdn.ac.uk/local/autoproxy.php. Only the Netscape/Mozilla family of browsers understand such autoproxy URLs. Not surprising since autoproxy scripts were invented by Netscape. [NOTE: Unlike Internet Explorer for Windows,  Internet Explorer for Macintosh cannot use an autoproxy URL, though in MacOS X, it appears to be possible to use the autoproxy script at a system-wide level.]

Bypass proxy settings

A "Bypass proxy settings" list is usually offered where real proxy server settings are entered.  The intention is that the proxy server will  be bypassed and a direct call made to the requested web site if it appears on the list or can be inferred to be on the list. Since direct calls can only be made to local web sites (such as http://www.abdn.ac.uk) one purpose of this mechanism is to allow use of local sites without placing a load on the proxy server (but see also the protected resources section below).

There is another purpose however. Some local web sites are set up to accept calls only from Macs within a particular range of network addresses on the campus network. If such a site is called via the proxy server the call would be rejected.

The interpretation of the bypass entry list is made by the application software being used. Sometimes it is sufficient to bypass  .abdn.ac.uk which infers bypass for all addresses ending in ".abdn.ac.uk".  This doesn't work in all cases so it is better to make a particular list of all relevant hosts. e.g.  www.abdn.ac.uk , www.eng.abdn.ac.uk , info.abdn.ac.uk , etc..

Configuring the Mac OS System Web Proxy Server Settings

Mac OS supports configuration of proxy server settings which are available for application software to use if designed to do so. (Hopefully avoiding the need to make multiple copies of the settings.)

Most web browsers (butnot the Netscape/Mozilla family) and applications such as Software Update, iTunes, RealAudio, Quicktime Player use the system proxy settings rather than having their own. For this reason it's a good idea to establish system proxy settings.

The system proxy settings are applied via the Internet control panel (which first appeared with Mac OS 8.5 and was preceded by the Internet Config system for older Mac OS's) or the Mac OS X Apple menu System Preferences 'Network' panel.

  • System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS 9 (Classic)
    • Open the Internet control panel.
    • Click on the Advanced tab. (If this tab is not visible, select User Mode...from the Edit menu and select the Advanced button.).
    • Select the Firewalls option from the scrolling list at the left.
    • Tick the Web Proxy box and type proxy.abdn.ac.uk in the box to the right.
    • Type 8080 into the Port box.
    • Type www.abdn.ac.uk into the Bypass Proxy Servers box (see also).
    • Close Internet.
       
  • System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS X
    • Open Apple menu ->System Preferences.
    • Open Network and click on the Proxies tab.
    • Tick the Web Proxy (HTTP) button and type proxy.abdn.ac.uk in the box to the right.
    • Type 8080 into the Port box.
    • Type www.abdn.ac.uk into the Bypass proxy settings for these Hosts & Domains box (see also).
    • Click on the Apply Now button (bottom RHS).
    • Close System Preferences.

In later revisions of OS X it may be possible to use the automatic proxy URL mentioned above rather than setting an explicit proxy as here (consult your system's documentation for details).

Applications will need to be restarted to enable proxying.

Some Application Specific Proxy Server Configuration Methods

Eudora (OS 9) (OS X)

Sponsored Mode (free with adverts) use of Eudora for Macintosh requires access to Qualcomm's ad server via web (http) protocols. This will fail unless Eudora is configured to use the University's web proxy server.

The effect of not having a proxy setting may go un-noticed for a while if Sponsored Mode has been working prior to introduction of the Aberdeen web filter. Eudora can take a week or so before complaining and threatening reversion to Light Mode (free, fewer features).

[There are 3 ways of setting Eudora's Web (http) proxy. Only one is given here since the others are either tricky to set up or have side effects.]

This is the quickest method and it works for both OS 9 and OS X:

    • Copy the following 2 lines of text to a Eudora text window or a new message window, doesn't matter which:

      <x-eudora-setting:312=proxy.abdn.ac.uk:8080> The HTTP proxy host.
      <x-eudora-setting:313=y> When checked, Eudora will use the HTTP proxy host.

      Eudora will highlight the 2 items between the pairs of angle brackets above in the manner of a URL.
    • Double click on the first <x-eudora-setting> to reveal a dialog box showing the current and new value of the setting.
    • Dismiss the dialog box with the Set Setting button.
    • Double click on the second <x-eudora-setting>.
    • Dismiss the dialog box with the Set Setting button.

[Find out more about X-Eudora-Settings here: http://www.eudora.com/techsupport/mac/xsettings.html]

Internet Explorer (OS 9)

Explorer shares the same setting data as System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS 9 (Classic) above. The settings can be entered in either place and they will appear in the other.

    • Within Explorer use the menu sequence Edit -> Preferences.
    • Expand the Network entry in the list.
    • Highlight Proxies and check the box Web Proxy server.
    • Enter proxy.abdn.ac.uk into the address box.
    • Select the Settings button and into the Port box enter 8080.

The web browser will need to be restarted to enable proxying.

Internet Explorer (OS X)

Although the Explorer -> Preferences menu sequence leads to the same Proxies panel as seen under OS 9, no alteration of the Web Proxy entry is allowed. Instead the setting must be made as for System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS X above.

The web browser will need to be restarted to enable proxying.

Netscape (and Mozilla) (OS 9) (OS X)

Netscape (and Mozilla) are configured within their familiar Preferences panel (which they share) where you can enter either manual or automatic settings. To reach the Proxies panel use:

  • OS 9 menu sequence: Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Proxies
    OS X menu sequence: Netscape -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Proxies

You can highlight either the Manual ...or Automatic... buttons but not both. The choice is yours.

  • Manual Netscape configuration:
    • Press the Configure... button.
    • In the panel which appears enter proxy.abdn.ac.uk in the HTTP Proxy box.
    • To the right Type 8080 into the Port box.
    • Type www.abdn.ac.uk into the "No proxy.." box.
    • Press OK.
       
  • Automatic Netscape configuration:
    • Type http://www.abdn.ac.uk/local/autoproxy.pac into the "Configuration location URL" box.
    • Press the Reload button.
    • Press OK to leave the Preferences panel.

The web browser will need to be restarted to enable proxying.

All Other Browsers (OS 9)

Such as iCab, and Opera - no info yet.

[These may use the Mac OS system wide manual settings from System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS 9 above. Possibly the web browser will need to be restarted to enable proxying.]

All Other Browsers (OS X)

Such as Safari,Camino (formerly Chimera) and Omniweb use the Mac OS X system wide manual settings from System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS X above.

The web browser will need to be restarted to enable proxying.

Accessing protected resources

You can use the proxy server to access resources (Web pages) that have been set to allow only computers directly connected to the campus network to see them. When you use the proxy server, your computer's network address appears to be that of the proxy, which is connected to the campus network and hence allows you to see such restricted resources. However, to enable this, you must not include www.abdn.ac.uk in the Bypass proxy settings (just leave it empty).