# Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server

The Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server (OiWPS), formerly known as Sun Java System Web Proxy Server (SJSWPS), is a proxy server software developed by Sun Microsystems (since 2010, Oracle Corporation).

## Overview

The Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server, is a popular HTTP/1.1 Proxy server software developed by Sun Microsystems. OiWPS 4.0 is widely used for proxying, caching, and filtering web content, boosting network security and performance, as well as to protect and secure, and load balance across, content servers.

## History

Earlier known as Sun ONE Web Proxy server, the Sun Java System Web Proxy Server 4.0 is a major rewrite of the older 3.x version of Sun's Proxy server, formerly known as Netscape Proxy Server.
The Netscape Proxy Server version 3.x was essentially a coupling between the Netscape browser client, responsible for talking to remote servers, and the Netscape web server 4.x, which in turn handled the duty of talking to a client. Support for multithreading was absent, and the Proxy server operated in multi-process mode where each request was handled by a dedicated process.
Sun Java System Web Proxy server 4.0 resulted from a major rewrite of Netscape Proxy Server in 2003–2004, when Sun decided to reinvest in Proxy technology. Switching to Sun web server 6.1's core architecture brought in support for multi-threading while still allowing users to configure the server for multiple processes when so desired. A brand new http client, admin and installer GUI, and localization were the other major changes involved. 4.0 retained other significant features of 3.x such as the ftp client, gopher client, connect client, batch updates, and so on.
After acquisition of Sun Microsystems by Oracle Corporation in 2010, Sun Java System Web Proxy Server 4.0 was rebranded as Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server 4.0.

## Features

Multithreaded core :
Optional support for a Multi-process architecture :
* HTTP (1.1 & 1.0)
* FTP
* Gopher
* CONNECT (SSL Tunneling)
CARP :
ICP :
Batch updates ('Prefetch' or 'data refresh') :
SSL support for secure access :
Routing / Load balancing :
URL Filtering :
SOCKS v5 support :
GUI-based Administration interface for server management, monitoring and migration :
GUI-based Installer :
Distributed Administration :
SNMP for Server monitoring :
LDAP support for centralized authentication management :
Netscape Server Application Programming Interface for customization :
Multilevel logging with support for log rotation, log monitoring and analysis :
Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP)
Note1: Officially unsupported
Note2: Undocumented
Note3: Disabled by default :

### Recently added features

* Internal DNS lookup client
* Support for (Squid-like) PURGE requests
* SED filter for HTTP request/response body rewriting
* In-memory cache for frequently used cache files
* 'URL Mapping'
* Telemetry / Service Tags support
* Support for stale-while-revalidate cache-control extension (RFC 5861)

### Supported Platforms

Currently supported platforms:
* Oracle Solaris 10 for SPARC and x86
* Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 4
* Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 5
* Oracle Linux 4
* Oracle Linux 5
* SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10
* Microsoft Windows Server 2003
* Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2
* Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Version 4.0.16 deprecated support for the following platforms:
* Sun Solaris 8 for SPARC
* Sun Solaris 9 for SPARC and x86
* HP-UX 11i (11.11)
* Red Hat Enterprise Linux Advanced Server 3
* Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
* Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

### Product updates as Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server

4.0.14 was the first release with Oracle-specific rebranding changes.
As of October 2016:
4.0.20 is the latest stable version suitable for new installations.
4.0.27 is the latest patch available.
Oracle iPlanet Web Proxy Server 4.0 now supports the following new features:
* Support for Proxying of NTLM sessions
* Enhanced platform support, including SUSE Linux
* Include file capability in server's obj.conf
* Routing-related admin GUI enhancements
* Miscellaneous performance enhancements
* Improved HTTP compliance
* Cookie rewriting features in updated "URL Mapping" functionality
* date/time parameter support in <Client> tags
* Miscellaneous GUI enhancements for server monitoring, ACL subsystem, etc.
* Updated NSS/NSPR
* Multiple new configuration parameters for http client's channel handling
More information on new features, platforms support, and resolved issues can be found in the product release notes

### ICAP Support

While Oracle iPlanet Proxy Server 4.0.17 does not provide official Internet Content Adaptation Protocol (ICAP) support yet, version 4.0.17 is capable of talking to ICAP servers.
Official support may be added in a future release, subject to market demand and business justification.