The Network Proxy Preferences enables you to configure how your system connects to the Internet.
You can configure the GNOME Desktop to connect to a proxy server, and specify the details of the proxy server. A proxy server is a server that intercepts requests to another server, and fulfills the request itself, if it can. You can enter the domain name or the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the proxy server. A domain name is a unique alphabetic identifier for a computer on a network. An IP address is a unique numeric identifier for a computer on a network.
Since it is possible that you need to use a different proxy configuration in different places, Network Proxy Preferences allows you to define separate proxy configurations and switch between them using the Location drop-down box at the top of the window. Choose New Location to create a proxy configuration for a new location. Locations can be removed using the Delete Location button at the bottom of the window.
Select this option to connect to the Internet without a proxy server.
Select this option to connect to the Internet through a proxy server and configure the proxy settings manually.
Enter the domain name or IP address of the proxy server to use when you request an HTTP service. Enter the port number of the HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port field.
If the HTTP proxy server requires authentication, click the Details button to enter your username and password.
Enter the domain name or IP address of the proxy server to use when you request a secure HTTP service. Enter the port number of the secure HTTP service on the proxy server in the Port field.
Enter the domain name or IP address of the proxy server to use when you request an FTP service. Enter the port number of the FTP service on the proxy server in the Port field.
Enter the domain name or IP address of the Socks host to use. Enter the port number for the Socks protocol on the proxy server in the Port field.
Select this option if you want to connect to the Internet through a proxy server, and you want to configure the proxy server automatically.
Automatic proxy configuration works by means of a so-called PAC file, which your browser downloads from a web server. If you don't specify the URL for a PAC file in the Autoconfiguration URL entry, your browser will try to locate one automatically.
Enter the URL of a PAC file that contains the information required to configure the proxy server automatically.
Set which hosts should not use the proxy in the Ignore Host List in the Ignored Hosts tabbed section. When you access these hosts, you will connect to the Internet directly without a proxy.