CSM Proxy Server -- Basic proxy server for Windows 95/98/NT platforms
CSM Proxy Server Plus -- Advanced Windows proxy server with notable filtering features
CSM Proxy Server Enterprise -- Enterprise-level proxy server for Windows 95/98/NT

The standard edition of CSM Proxy Server ($395) offers the basic set of features expected in an entry-level proxy server while the Plus ($695) and Enterprise ($895+) editions add filtering and advanced control capabilities for use in larger organizations. All three flavors of the CSM Proxy Server require Windows NT 3.51 Server or Workstation with Service Pack 4 or higher, Windows NT 4.0 Server or Workstation with Service Pack 1 or higher (both Intel and Alpha), or Windows 95/98 with Service Pack 1 + Winsock Kernel Patch (If ISDN is used, the ISDN service pack).

CSM Proxy Server works with the major Internet protocols -- HTTP, POP3, SMTP, Real Audio, Real Video, VDOLive, and telnet -- making it the proxy of choice for smaller Web installations that want a basic proxy server. CSM Proxy Server Plus/Enterprise editions add support for additional protocols -- IMAP4, FTP, NNTP (news), SOCKS 4 and SOCKS 5, and SMTP (Enterprise Only) -- making them much more attractive for use in the corporate world. SOCKS support is becoming important for many sites when setting up virtual-private networks, and CSM Proxy Server Plus and Enterprise support Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and SOCKS for IP tunneling.

You can set the proxy up to work with everyone (which probably isn't the best idea), or you can enter up to 500 sites and domain addresses that are authorized to use the proxy. The proxy server will also deny access to specific domains or hosts; if your users attempt to contact these sites, they'll be given an error message saying that access is denied. If you are using SOCKS 4 or 5 security authentication on your site, you can set up CSM Proxy Server Plus to do DNS forwarding, where DNS requests are sent to an outside server and then sent back via the CSM Proxy Server.

One nice feature in CSM Proxy Server Plus is that it filters cookies out of the network stream, so your users won't inadvertently cause a security breach by storing cookies on their machines. (However, cookies initiated by Java scripts can not be filtered out.) Administration is performed by logging onto the host machine; alternatively, you can use the remote administration tool (however there are no browser-based administration capabilities available).

In CSM Proxy Server Plus and Enterprise editions, it is also possible to filter URLs based on their content using the product's SmartFilter Control List processing. The listings of banned sites include sexual content, hate-speech content, non-business worthless content, online gambling, job-search content, games content, chat gateway, dating and introduction sites, self-help sites, illegal-drug content, criminal-skills content, sports content, indecent content, Usenet news sites, and investing information, among many others. It's not likely that you'll be using these advanced filtering tools often outside of preventing access to porn-based sites, but this feature is handy if only for preventing access to that type of site.

CSM Proxy Server is a decent basic proxy server, although the list price of $395 ($495 with e-mail support and all upgrades) is on the steep side when compared to competitors. CSM Proxy Server Plus, while carrying a steeper list price of $695 ($845 with e-mail support and upgrades), offers advanced filtering capabilities that distinguish it from the rest of the proxy-server world. Upgrades for users of previous versions and competing proxy servers are also available (check out CSM's Web site for complete pricing details).

CSM Proxy Server Enterprise carries the steepest price tag at $995 (for the server itself and $1,495 per year for the server with CSM's Internet Security Suite), but it also offers the most bang for the buck. Distinctive features in the Enterprise edition include virus scanning capabilities (via McAfee), ActiveX and Java blocking, SMTP Command Filtering, support for Sequel Net Access Manager, support for Kansmen LittleBrother Internet Monitor, support for WebSENSE URL filtering (an add-on with subscriptions beginning at $500 per year), news filtering (another add-on with subscriptions beginning at $695 per year), and support for SmartFilter Control Lists (yet another add-on that runs $1,050+ per year).

With three different editions of CSM Proxy Server available, one is sure to meet your exact needs. Smaller organizations will gravitate to the standard edition and its less expensive price tag, but the Plus edition is the better value. For larger organizations, the Plus edition makes sense unless your needs mandate the more advanced features of the Enterprise edition. Assuming you can afford it, the Enterprise edition represents the ultimate proxy server solution from CSM and is a solid fit for enterprise environments.

Pros: · Advanced filtering of content and domains, · Supports a wide range of Web protocols, · Security support through SOCKS, · Three editions available (Standard, Plus, and Enterprise), · Virus scanning and ActiveX/Java blocking in the Enterprise edition

Cons: · Enterprise edition is relatively expensive compared to other proxy servers, · No browser-based administration tools, · No security features in CSM Proxy Server standard edition

Updates

New in v4.1: · Throughput speed doubled with use of Winsock2, · CARP (Cache Array Routing Protocol) support, · Visual Remote Watch, · Reverse (transparent) HTTP proxy, CSM Proxy Cache virus scanner, SMTP proxy with command filter, · Native News proxy support, · IMAP 4.1 proxy support, · SOCKS 5 support, · SSL3 support; · Linux release; ·
List of Features
Upgrade Meter: 5

New in v4.2: Virus scanning with Ikarus Scan Engine, URL blocking with CSM SiteBlocker, SmartFilter configurable per user and group, and automatic database reload for SmartFilter (all for Enterprise release); reworked implementation of CARP (Plus and Enterprise releases)
Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 4

New in v4.2 Build 1999 11 03: McAfee VirusScan 4.0 now supported for CSM Proxy Server Enterprise, but Proxy Server must be restarted if new McAfee virus DAT files are uploaded; various IP, HTTP and FTP bugs fixed
Release Notes
Upgrade Meter: 3

Version Reviewed: 4.1 Patch 5 Reviewed by: Reichard/Stroud

Last Updated: 11/11/99 Date of Original Review: 8/26/98

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Operating Systems / Latest Versions:

Windows NT: Intel, Alpha: v4.2a. Windows 95/98: v4.2a. Unix: Linux - v4.1