location: ProxyBySsh

Institute of Mathematics - PublicMathWiki:

(Web) Proxy by SSH

To get Web access to the I-MATH intranet webserver it is possible to set up a SOCKS SSH proxy channel. This setting is not persistent, start it when you need it.

The proxy configuration can be done:

  • on the OS - not described here.

  • via commandline - described here for Google Chrome and Opera.

  • inside the browser via GUI - described here for Firefox.

SSH Proxy

Browser

To use the I-MATH internal DNS Server (necessary to get access to hostnames that are only known inside of I-MATH), use the SOCKS5 protocol incl. DNS forward.

For Google Chrome or Opera, open a second terminal and type the following command.

Browser

Command

Google Chrome (see also advanced)

Linux: google-chrome --proxy-server="socks5://localhost:1080"
Mac OS X: /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --proxy-server="socks5://localhost:1080"

Opera

Linux: opera --proxy-server="socks5://localhost:1080"
Mac OS X: /Applications/Opera.app/Contents/MacOS/Opera --proxy-server="socks5://localhost:1080"

  • Firefox
    • There is no official option '-proxy-server' for the command line
    • Start firefox, open 'settings', navigate to 'network' > see screenshot

ff-proxy.png

FAQ

  • Q: Can I configure Google Chrome / Opera via GUI like Firefox
    • A: yes - just check the 'network' seetings.
  • Q: Why should I start Google Chrome / Opera via command line?
    • A: This is a very quick way to use the proxy. If you do not need it, start the browser via mouse.
  • Q: Can I automate the steps?
    • A: yes. A small bash script should do the trick:
      #!/bin/bash
      
      nohup google-chrome --proxy-server="socks5://localhost:1080" & ssh -C -D 1080 <I-MATH account>@ssh.math.uzh.ch 
  • Check SSH Keys to setup password less SSH login.

  • Q: in Firefox I don't like to toggle the proxy on/off all the time - is there a better way?
    • A: Create an additional profile 'proxy'. Start Firefox via Terminal firefox -P, create the profile, use it and do the proxy config there.

Advanced Setup: Google Chrome Proxy Switch

Install and configure the Google Chrome extension SwitchyOmega to automatically switch proxy for certain URLs.

Configurations: switchyOmega_proxy.png switchyOmega_autoswitch.png

PublicMathWiki: ProxyBySsh (last edited 2021-02-04 16:23:12 by eseide)