FTP / wget / browser download through M$ proxy server. 32 bit issue?

[Ben Scott]

On Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 9:33 AM,  <bruce.labitt at autoliv.com> wrote:
> If I attempt to download thru the browser on either winxp (IE)

  Microsoft Internet Explorer cannot handle files bigger than 4 GB.
If the web server is using HTTP Keep Alives (most are), it cannot
handle more than 2 GB.  See MSKB 298618.  There is no fix, and hasn't
been for years.  Way to go, Microsoft.

  Firefox and wget do just fine.  I've downloaded large files through
our Squid proxy/cache (hosted on Linux) at work before.

> I would have used bit torrent (of some flavor) but that is blocked here.

  The BitTorrent protocol isn't really compatible with the assumptions
behind the design of HTTP (or HTTP proxies).  BitTorrent uses multiple
bi-directional connections.  HTTP uses a single outbound-only
connection.  You could tunnel outbound Torrent through the HTTP
CONNECT method, but your throughput will suck because of Torrent
"tit-for-tat" algorithm.

  You might ask if your IT people if they can support a SOCKS5 proxy.
Combined with a fixed incoming TCP port range (configurable in most
Torrent clients), you should be able to participate in a Torrent
swarm.  The corporate IT firewall might not be able to handle the
load, though.

> MS proxy change or update?

  If they are actually running the product named "Microsoft Proxy
Server", it is hideously out-of-date, not supported, buggy,
vulnerable, unstable, and full of stupid limitations.  If that's
really what they're running, they need help ASAP.

  They are, I hope, really running the product named "Microsoft
Internet Security and Acceleration Server".  (Pause for laughter.)
ISA started out as MS Proxy Server renamed, but has grown to do more.
But ISA 2000 also had a number of stupid limitations.  ISA 2004 was
supposed to be better, but I haven't really been paying attention.  In
any event, they presumably are paying Microsoft money for support, and
so should call Microsoft to get it.

  If they're not paying for support, they're unsupported, and should
obtain a product with support.  Squid is free and still supported.  It
even runs on Windows.  ;-)

-- Ben