How To Use Apache's Proxy for Drupal's Files Directory

Drupal’s files directory can get enormous, and it’s best not to keep it in version control. Here’s a way to use Apache’s proxy module to point your local environment directly to your dev/live site’s files directory so you don’t have to download it.

In your httpd.conf:

ProxyRequests On
ProxyVia On
 
<Proxy *>
    Order deny,allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from localhost
    Allow from all
</Proxy>
 
<Location /sites/default/files/imagecache/>
   ProxyPass http://dev.yoursite.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/
</Location>

Of course you’ll want to tailor it to your needs; maybe you want only one imagecache preset proxied, or just one directory specifically on one local host. Either way, this recipe will get you started. Hope it helps!