Limiting Net Usage

[Wommalong]

Hey all,

Here is the problem, here at work there are some people that surff the net all day (and get away with it ) and i was wondering if i could get a program to prevent this. The PDC is running NT4 and it it will allow me to stop all or run all not spacific users. I only want to stop them from accessing the net during office hours (excl lunch). Let me know if you need more info

Later,

 

[nerdlogic]

Why not disable their LAN connections during office hours and decrease their account privileges?

 

[Movax]

There must be something they use on the 'net that they actually need to do their work. Like shipping websites, information on products, general research? You could setup a proxy that only allows access to specific sites during certian hours.

 

[FlypSyde]

How is your office connected to the internet? That's where you woud probably control this.

 

[macky]

Can you block the port that HTTP uses between certain hours? As long as your network doesn't use that port for general traffic you should be fine.

 

[DDR-PIII]

well, I'm sure that they don't connect directly to the net so on the router... gatewways server or w/e just block the http ports that the copmputers needs.

 

[macky]

well, I'm sure that they don't connect directly to the net so on the router... gatewways server or w/e just block the http ports that the copmputers needs.

That's exactly what I meant to say

 

[su root]

it really depends on how your connected to the internet. If you use a proxy, you could reconfigure or upgrade your proxy software to enable time-based internet usage blocking

 

[Wommalong]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Ok first i will elaborate on the current set-up. All the "Clients / Users" computers connect through the PDC which in turn is connected to a router and this is connected to an ISDN line (****y i know, i am working on it trying to go ADSL would go faster but it is hard to find services providers, reasonable services providers here in SA anyway). The ISDN line is split 50/50 with the Fax (i want to cry), now i know that if the PDC was running Win advanced Serv 2000 then this would not be a problem but, since the previous sys admin let things slide we are still running NT4(would not be surprised if we are a couple of services packs behind lol) on the PDC (upgrade planed later this year... more work... Damit ). The problem with NT4 is at least as i see it, is that the settings affect all the ID10T5 on the network so if i prevent one it will affect all.

What i have done (yesterday) is prevent some of the PC's from accessing the Net by denying certain ips access (cool hey...) this seems to have sorted the problem although now even at lunch time they got no access...

Anyway guys i think i sorted the problem out... for now anyway
Thanks again
Womma

 

[DDR-PIII]

ISDN 50/50 now I see4 why you want to limit it

 

[Wommalong]

Tell me about it... if i am lucky i get 6-7KB/s download and there are 12 of use that have access...hehe would be more lol

 

[Movax]

If you are, or know anyone who is, linux capable you can set up a router with linux and run a proxy off that. Squid has tons of options for configuration and can validate a user name/passwd against a domain controller and decide what they are allowed to access. Just a thought.

 

[Robbie]

Tell me about it... if i am lucky i get 6-7KB/s download and there are 12 of use that have access...hehe would be more lol

wait, you want to do this for your own personal benifit so you have have faster downloads at work? Are you SUPPOSE to be downloading at work?
Rob

 

[Robbie]

Guess I struck a nerve?
Rob