Content filtering and usage limits

DominionZA

DominionZA

Executive Member
Joined
May 5, 2005
Messages
8,306
Reaction score
73
Location
Edenvale, Gauteng
Hi All,

I need some advice on content filtering and usage limiting server based software.

I have a 5GB threshold ADSL account which goes to uncapped 128kbps when the threshold is reached. I am hitting this threshold very quickly each month because my whole family shares the line.

I currently have a Win2K3 server setup with 2 nics. One LAN facing and the other internet. All LAN traffic goes though this machine and is managed currently by WinGate. WinGate does not offer me decent specs on bandwidth usage so I can see who the hog is, nor does it offer content filtering.
The new version appears to offer these things, as well as provide some add-ons to improve efficiency. Before I jump in and upgrade my license to the latest version for 6 users, I was wondering if there was anything else out there that provided this functionality and not too high a cost?

And please... No Linux setup. I am not interested in learning Linux then trying to maintain it when things don't work. I am a Windoz boy and is my preferred option :)

Any ideas?
 
I am going to suggest Linux even though you said not to. Why? I feel that the Firewall distro's don't require you to be a fanboi to operate.

Smoothwall
IpCop
Clarkconnect
PfSense.

Free and they will run on a p1 if needed.
Look in to those.
J

Mike Smit said:
Hi All,

I need some advice on content filtering and usage limiting server based software.

I have a 5GB threshold ADSL account which goes to uncapped 128kbps when the threshold is reached. I am hitting this threshold very quickly each month because my whole family shares the line.

I currently have a Win2K3 server setup with 2 nics. One LAN facing and the other internet. All LAN traffic goes though this machine and is managed currently by WinGate. WinGate does not offer me decent specs on bandwidth usage so I can see who the hog is, nor does it offer content filtering.
The new version appears to offer these things, as well as provide some add-ons to improve efficiency. Before I jump in and upgrade my license to the latest version for 6 users, I was wondering if there was anything else out there that provided this functionality and not too high a cost?

And please... No Linux setup. I am not interested in learning Linux then trying to maintain it when things don't work. I am a Windoz boy and is my preferred option :)

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
 
+1

And there's loads of content filtering you can plug in to ipcop/smoothie - also the installation is dead easy. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to install/config it.
 
There is also Untangle which has Layer 7 filtering out of the box, also very easy to install and manage. While you can pay for some addons, those are things for AD ect which you wont need, the free part is great for a home user.

It also emails you usage reports daily, or weekly or monthly.
 
Last edited:
Okay, I went along and looked at each of the products, and was quite amazed.

But... Confused. I got the impression they were ALL needed, but it seems each of them pretty do the same as each other. Smoothwall looks the easiest to install and ClarkConnect the most functionality.

How do you guys use these? Do you install one as the OS, then others as add-ins or what?

I have 2 spare machines sitting here, so going to take the plunge and build my first Linux server. I need advise from you guys though as to what distro to install for the OS, then what apps to install to give me the functionality I require above.

If you guys don't mind, please assist.

TIA
 
Nah, just pick the one you like most / which offers the most functionality. They are each a separate package (i.e. OS + software), so you can't run them together. But most will allow you to add stuff (although, then you getting more technical)

Personally, I quite like ClarkeConnect, I found it to be the easiest to use and offers the most useful options (for me) "out of the box"
 
Each of the names I mentioned in my previous post e.g. smoothwall, ipcop etc are all DIFFERENT LINUX FIREWALL distributions.

You will need to pick the one that appeals to you the most, or try all of them.

They are all very decent and mostly user friendly.

I know the wuggers (wireless user groups) tend to prefer pfsense while I know people who swear by Smoothwall and Clarkconnect.

It all depends on what you are going to do and who has the best support. E.g. If you were going to try Linux for the first time as a desktop user you would most likely try Ubuntu - why? - well ease of use and support via the ubuntu forums etc.

Its up to you. They don't force you down one road like MS does.

J

Mike Smit said:
Okay, I went along and looked at each of the products, and was quite amazed.

But... Confused. I got the impression they were ALL needed, but it seems each of them pretty do the same as each other. Smoothwall looks the easiest to install and ClarkConnect the most functionality.

How do you guys use these? Do you install one as the OS, then others as add-ins or what?

I have 2 spare machines sitting here, so going to take the plunge and build my first Linux server. I need advise from you guys though as to what distro to install for the OS, then what apps to install to give me the functionality I require above.

If you guys don't mind, please assist.

TIA
Click to expand...
 
Update guys... And to those that recommend a Linux solution (that I was against) - well a big thanks.

I downloaded all 4 of the distros listed above, and tried them all. ClarkConnect is by far my favourite and am so blown away by the power offered by this OS software.

I grabbed one of my daughters old machines. A Celeron 3.33Ghz box with 2Gigs RAM and an 80Gig HDD. Burnt the ISO to disc and started install. Was all over and setup very very quickly and running in gateway mode.
Been sitting for the last 2 hours now on my notebook connected to the ClarkConnect box via a web browser just tweaking the settings to my needs, and am just getting more and more blown away as I progress.
It integrated very nicely with my 2 * Win2K3 servers and my domain.

This is damned powerful software and I am ashamed to say I put Linux on the back burner for so long.

So... I am glad I asked the original question, and even gladder so many of you responded with the Linux option even though I did not want to hear it. I am officially switched and will not diss any Linux solution so fast again.

Thank-you guys!!
 
i am pro linux. but i am glad to see how a non-OS thread leads to a linux solution working out to someone who is unfamiliar to Linux.

i am glad though that you found resolution to your problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X