Thanks Ben--yes, the Java app does NOT work if we manually define the path to the proxy.pac file, which is why I was asking if anyone has it working this way exacly (with no wpad).
I'm not sure the exact reason, but I've been told we're not going to use wpad. Maybe this is wrong, but I was told it has something to do with the setting we are using to split the proxy for the youtube settings. The more I've read though, it looks like wpad points to a .pac formatted file, so why would it not work (at least in IE/Chrome) if the .pac file already works otherwise? I do understand the security arguments that can be presented with using autoconfig. Java and the application in question does work with the proxy server manually defined (IP & port number) so I'll have to do some more research this week. There is probably a file or registry entry we can push to just set it that way (and any pointers are appreciated), but unfortunately that means Java won't work on machines that are taken home unless proxy is toggled. This is a secondary goal we have as eventually if students are taking computers home with one to one, they may not have permission to do that. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ben Scott Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 3:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [NTSysADM] RE: Java and proxy.pac On Fri, Mar 27, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Miller Bonnie L. <[email protected]> wrote: > Based on this, I’m wondering, are you using JUSTA a proxy.pac file, or > is it actually WPAD configuration pointing to a wpad.dat that locates > the proxy.pac? In IE for example, we are defining the URL directly to > the proxy.pac file (second option), and not using any DNS publishing > (Our network admin is heading up this project). Some things (apps/components/browsers/whatever) don't get their proxy settings from IE/Windows. So if you've manually defined a PAC script URL in Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings -> "Use automatic configuration script", or by GPO, some things may not be aware of that. Even when there is an option in the program for "Use Windows" or whatever, I've found that sometimes doesn't work. Some things which are not aware of the IE/Windows proxy settings will do DNS-based WPAD on their own. Perhaps Java is one or both of the above. The version of Java I have installed a control panel. If I open that, and go to the "General" tab and click "Network Settings", I have options to use browser settings, manually defined a proxy server, or manually define a PAC URL. If you fill in the URL of your PAC script there, does Java begin working? If it works, you know it's an issue with Java not getting settings from OS/WPAD. WPAD is really easy to set-up, if you already have the PAC script. You just need a DNS name "wpad" in a search path domain, and then a web server at that address which redirects to your PAC script in response to "/wpad.dat". -- Ben
