I'm hoping someone can help me with this problem. We just installed a new network at the office, with windows small business server. We have active directory installed and utilize a proxy server to cache webpages and monitor surfing habits. All of the staff are subject to a relatively strict group security policy that prevents them from changing system settings. For instance, they cannot access the control panel in Windows XP, nor "internet options" under IE. All of the staff computers are configured to go through the proxy server. They cannot change this setting by themselves. Some of our staff utilize laptops with docking stations. When docked, they are connected to our LAN, and have no problems web browsing by means of our proxy server. However, when they take their laptops out of the office and try to utilize a third-party internet connection (such as the wired or wireless broadband connections offered by many hotels), they cannot get IE to function as it is looking for the proxy server and not finding it. What are my options for resolving this problem? One is to relax the group security policy so the notebook users can toggle use of the proxy server on and off, but I don't believe management will allow that. I need to somehow configure their laptops so that it utilizes the proxy server when connected to our network, but not go through a proxy server when connected to a different network. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks Steve

Have you looked into separate Hardware Profiles? If not check it out. You should be able to create one profile for work, where they don't need to access that setting and another for outside of work where they do. Heck, it might be possible for you to set the 2nd profile to automatically search for a proxy and then they won't have to....they just load whichever profile according to where they're logging in.

Thanks CurtR, I will look into that.

Another option to look into is the NETSH command. I have batch files on a few laptops that a simple click of thebatch file will change their IP's from static to DHCP, or back. The command has literally thousands of options to it, I'm not sure if proxy settings are included, but if the profiles doesn't work out, it's somehing to look at. Although, for the record, I believe Curt's answer is the solution you are looking for

I use Automatic Configuration settings. and when they are in the office it uses it, when they are out of the office it bypass's the proxy. this tends to slow down network file browsing as well when out of the office, since it tries to locate the proxy?