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Limiting web browsing
Halo,
Let me start off by saying that if this is incorrect forum that I am posting this to, please move to correct one and let me know where its new home is....
I have a 10 client network and the client wants something similar to an i-cafe. He wants to limit the amount of hours spent browsing NOT the times between which browsing can occur.
Basically User Bob has 3hrs of browsing he can do for the day, once its reached, he can only browse the intranet or only email will work and nothing else....I think its also something similar to bandwith capping which happens on ADSL connections in our country(South Africa). You are given X amount of Gigs for the month and once its reached, you are capped and you can only browse local (co.za) websites.
Any takers for this one? Is it possible and/or has it already been done?
Thanks
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Would these users be based on Users Logins or on Local IP addresses?
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I think this should be do-able, although I think its difficult to define the time-spent on the internet.
From what I know, e.g. Bluecoat proxies do not have this feature.
From the other hand you could script it maybe. Let someone login before they can surf over a proxy and setup a timer. Let the timer add up, every time someone logs in ...
Then again, It is difficult to see if someone is actually using the internet, even if you have an open session over a proxy. It can be idle.
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I think I see where you going with this....
Unfortunately I am not running a server environment with roaming profiles, the only thing static are the IP addresses. So if something is configured to limit the IP address, it does not limit his access. He would be able to try his access from another PC.
I think 3rd party software to control access would prolly require the user to be configured on it and the user be auth against those credentials before access is permitted? Where would this software be installed and how would it act as a gateway?
I ma using a Netgear ADSL router - could something be configured on it perhaps?
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There are many wireless hotspot solutions. Here's one...
http://www.smc.com/html_includes/sta...07_Hotspot.pdf
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umm...excuse my ignorance....but how does this tie in with my question?
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these offerings allow you to meter usage and set limits. fee or free.
Here's what a friend of mine in UK uses...
mycafecup.com
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thanks for info Ron but it aint gonna work here cos we not running wifi...its all hard-wired
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Libraries that offer internet access often use server-side software that limits a user's browsing to a certain amount of time per day. The user logs into the PC and after their time has elapsed, the browser restricts their internet access.
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What you are describing sounds like what is offered by some parental control software.
http://www.kidswatch.com/?source=Goo...FU4g3god3SEnmw
I guess if you did a Google search on "Parental Control Software" or the like you would find some solutions to look into? Also look at library software as keezel has suggested, and that used by schools.
I don't think you will get a complete solution without a server or single access control point. As you say, people could just go and use another machine, assuming they had a user profile on it.
EDIT: Here are some product reviews:
http://rbytes.net/software/mycafecup-platinum-review/
I don't think that they actually require a WiFi connection, just that they will support WiFi hotspot billing?