CentOS 9: Guide to proxy server configuration

CentOS, also known as Community ENTerprise Operating System, can be classified as a Linux distribution that has numerous applications such as web hosting, running as a primary server OS, and more. Most common users of this operating system are especially cloud and virtualization platforms that make use of KVM, VMware, and others.

The uses of proxy servers on CentOS encompass the following:

• Content caching: improves webpage load time by conserving data that is often required, which saves the time of loading.
• Traffic monitoring: guarantees effective compliance with enforcement by enabling administration, monitoring, and control of every data traffic in the network.
• Bypass geographic restrictions: makes it easier to gain access to web resources that are banned from specific locations, thus increasing the level of access.

This article makes use of the most recent version of CentOS, which is CentOS 9 and comes with a simple interface allowing easy configuration of proxy servers.

Installing and configuring a proxy server on CentOS

1. On the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop, locate an icon as indicated in the screenshot which displays an application menu.

   

2. Navigate to the “Settings” area.

   

3. Select the “Network” section and go to the “Network Proxy” section via the button with a gear symbol located next to it.

   

4. In the window that appears, choose “Manual”, and enter the IP address and port into the designated fields. Close the window and the proxy server settings will be saved automatically.

   

5. Open any of the installed browsers. You will be asked to enter authorization details. Enter these, and click on the “Sign in” button.

   

6. To test the proxy settings, open any web page and confirm the IP address that is shown. It should be the same as the one you set up.

   

The proxy settings now use a zone addressing and are automatically applied to all system traffic. It is recommended to make use of private proxy servers that are specific to the users so as to enable better connection quality with the help of reliable providers and provide user security during web browsing.