Setting up Debian with Varnish as internet proxy

Varnish is a great http accelerator, “10 times faster than squid”. This partially due to its use of modern computer architecture. Although its main purpose is as a web server accelerator it can also be used as a traditional internet accelerator/cache. The web page FAQ says it requires a lot of work though.

But there is a simpler solution by having it cooperate with Squid. Not the most elegant solution, but for my cable modem it will be more than enough.

1. Install Debian on a box.
2. Install Squid and Varnish.
   apt-get install squid varnish
3. Edit /etc/squid/squid.conf (this is actually optional, but recommended):
   Add the lines:
   cache_dir ufs /var/spool/squid 10 2 4
   forwarded_for off

client_db off

4. Edit /etc/default/varnish and set

DAEMON_OPTS=”-a :6081 \
to
DAEMON_OPTS=”-a :8080 \
And


-b localhost:8080 \
to
-b localhost:3128 \

Add the line: -f /etc/varnish/default.vcl \
after -b line.
Set how much disk space you want to use for cache in the line:
-s file,/var/lib/varnish/$INSTANCE/varnish_storage.bin,1G”
Note: For 32-bit systems keep it low (~1GB).

5. Restart Squid and Varnish:
   /etc/init.d/squid restart
   /etc/init.d/varnish restart
6. On your client computer set your HTTP PROXY server for HTTP (not HTTPS) to debianserverip port 8080.