Generating a PAC File From a PAT File

Because most clients do not recognize the PAT file format, the clients in client-to-proxy routing use the Proxy Auto Configuration (PAC) mechanism to receive information about which proxy to go through. However, instead of using the standard PAC file, the client uses a special PAC file derived from the PAT file. This special PAC file computes the hash algorithm to determine the appropriate route for the requested URL.

You can generate a PAC file from the PAT file manually or automatically . If you manually generate the PAC file from a specific member of the proxy array, that member will immediately regenerate the PAC file based on the information currently in the PAT file. If you configure a proxy array member to automatically generate a PAC file, the member will automatically regenerate the file after each time it detects a modified version of the PAT file.

If you are not using the proxy array feature for your proxy server, use the Create/Edit Autoconfiguration File page to generate your PAC file. For more information see Chapter 17, Using the Client Autoconfiguration File.

To manually generate a PAC file from a PAT file

The PAC file can be generated only from the master proxy.

1. Access the Server Manager of the master proxy, and click the Caching tab.

2. Click the Configure Proxy Array link.

   The Configure Proxy Array page is displayed.

3. Click the Generate PAC button.

   The PAC Generation page is displayed.

4. If you want to use custom logic in your PAC file, type the name of the file containing the customized logic you would like to include in the generation of your PAC file in the Custom logic file field.

   This logic is inserted before the proxy array selection logic in the FindProxyForURL function. This function is typically used for local requests which need not go through the proxy array.

   If you have already provided the custom logic file when configuring the proxy array member, this field will be populated with that information. You may edit the custom logic file name here.

5. In the Default Route field, type the route a client should take if the proxies in the array are not available.

   If you have already provided the default route when configuring a proxy array member, this field will be populated with that information. You may edit the default route here.

6. Click OK.

7. Click Restart Required.

   The Apply Changes page is displayed.

8. Click the Restart Proxy Server button to apply the changes.

To Automatically Generate a PAC File

1. Access the Server Manager, and click the Caching tab.

2. Click the Configure Proxy Array Member link.

   The Configure Proxy Array Member page is displayed.

3. Select the Auto-generate PAC File checkbox.

4. If you want to use custom logic in your PAC file, type the name of the file containing the customized logic you would like to include in the generation of your PAC file in the Custom Logic File field

   This logic is inserted before the proxy array selection logic in the FindProxyFor URL function.

   If you have already provided and saved the custom logic file when configuring the proxy array, this field will be populated with that information. You may edit the custom logic file name here.

5. In the Default Route field, type the route a client should take if the proxies in the array are not available.

   If you have already provided the default route when configuring the proxy array, this field will be populated with that information. You may edit the default route.

6. Click OK.

7. Click Restart Required.

   The Apply Changes page is displayed.

8. Click the Restart Proxy Server button to apply the changes.