Squid_ The Definitive Guide - Duane Wessels [4]
In order to use this book, you should have a basic knowledge of Unix systems. Many of the book's examples are based on free operating systems, such as Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD. I also have some tips for Solaris users. If you're more comfortable with Windows systems, you can use Squid under a Unix emulator or give the native NT port a try.
Here's an overview of the book's contents:
Chapter 1, Introduction
This chapter introduces you to Squid and web caching. I give a brief history of the project, and a few notes on our future work. I explain how you can find additional support and information, including a FAQ, on the Squid web site.
Chapter 2, Getting Squid
In this chapter, I explain how and why you should download Squid's source code. You may prefer to install a precompiled binary or use a preconfigured package. I also talk about staying up to date with Squid using the anonymous CVS server.
Chapter 3, Compiling and Installing
Assuming you've downloaded the source code, this chapter explains how to configure and compile Squid. In some cases you may need to tune your system before compiling Squid. For example, your kernel may have relatively low file-descriptor limits that affect Squid's performance.
Chapter 4, Configuration Guide for the Eager
Here, I give a brief introduction to Squid's configuration file. If you are the impatient type and can't wait to start using Squid, this chapter will leave you with a minimal configuration file you can start playing with.
Chapter 5, Running Squid
In this chapter, I explain how to run Squid for the first time and how to test Squid in a terminal window. Following that, I suggest a number of ways to configure your system so that Squid starts each time it boots. I also explain how to reconfigure Squid while it is running and how to safely shut it down.
Chapter 6, All About Access Controls
I talk extensively about access controls in this chapter. Squid has a powerful collection of access control features and a number of different rule sets that determine how requests and responses are treated. This is an important chapter because a mistake in your access controls may leave your cache, or even internal systems, vulnerable to abuse from outsiders.
Chapter 7, Disk Cache Basics
This chapter is about Squid's primary function: storing cached responses on disk. I explain how to configure the disk cache, including replacement policies and freshness controls. I also show you how to manually remove unwanted objects from the cache.
Chapter 8, Advanced Disk Cache Topics
In this chapter, I explain how to improve the performance of Squid's disk cache. I'll talk about Squid's different storage schemes and a number of filesystem tuning options that may help. If your Squid cache handles a relatively light load, you probably don't need to worry about disk performance.
Chapter 9, Interception Caching
Here, I explain how to configure Squid for HTTP interception, sometimes also called transparent caching. Actually, configuring Squid is the easy part. The difficulty comes from setting up a router or switch on your network and the host from which Squid is running. I explain how to configure networking equipment from Cisco, Alteon, Foundry, and Extreme. I'll also show you how to configure your operating system (Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Solaris) for HTTP interception. Finally, I talk about WCCP.
Chapter 10, Talking to Other Squids
In this chapter, I cover the ins and outs of cache cooperation, including meshes, arrays, and hierarchies. You may also find it useful if you simply need to forward requests from Squid to another proxy or intermediary. I'll talk about the various intercache protocols supported by Squid (ICP, HTCP, Cache Digests, and CARP) and how Squid chooses the next-hop location for a given cache miss.
Chapter 11, Redirectors
Redirectors are the best way to make Squid rewrite HTTP requests before forwarding them. I describe the interface between Squid and a redirector program so