Internet Cafe Help!

[JITA]

Hi - What is the best internet connection to use to run an Internet Cafe (approx. 15 pcs)? I currently have telkoms ADSL 4GB.

 

[guest2013-1]

You mean 4mbps? or 4GB as in you have 4GB as your cap?

 

[JITA]

Hi AcidRaZor - You are right!

 

[Joker]

A 4mbps connection should be fine, as long as users are just browsing. I recommend getting some bandwidth/traffic monitoring software though, so you can pin users who are downloading huge files - making it slow for everyone else.

 

[JITA]

I recommend getting some bandwidth/traffic monitoring software thoughQUOTE] Thanks for the reply - Do you know any software?

 

[dotnerd]

Try googling for internetcafe software ... just for fun..

Also think of limiting functionality on your pcs: Reborn, CleanSlate etc. Small domain perhaps ? Oh and make sure you have LISCENCED everything or you will sink like a brick when you get caught.

 

[Joker]

Best to setup a linux box as your gateway (numerous advantages), can even be ubuntu if you want a gui. Then run iftop.

 

[guest2013-1]

Best to setup a linux box as your gateway (numerous advantages), can even be ubuntu if you want a gui. Then run iftop.

JITA is in for one helluva learning curve

If you need an outside consultant with more than 12 years of IT experience including internet cafe/business analyst experience please feel free to PM me. My hourly rate is cheaper than Ivy bent over on all fours adhering to all Telkom policies instead of the other way around.

 

[RichieR]

Visit www.globalchat.co.za. They are able to provide call centre and internet shop software and setup

 

[gregmcc]

I'd also look at installing a squid proxy and mrtg's the lines. You can then monitor who is doing what and setup blocking of certain files/sites. Otherwise your machines will become so infected with spyware you might be rebuilding them every other day. Or run browsers in a virtual sandbox that you can trash every now and again.

 

[guest2013-1]

I'd suggest ghosting all of the machines and do a rebuild/restore (which will take minutes) every week. Have a server where if people want to download big files they can request to do so with you specifically and you will then keep the data on the server, otherwise just have a notice up that the machines will be reset every week due to security concerns and what not.

Also keep windows updates + antivirus updates local. If you have a server (which I assume you have seeing as though you need some kind of proxy/cache to limit browsing speeds and monitor users) you might as well run windows updates and antivirus updates off of the same machine and distribute to the others.

That way when you rebuild you don't have to redownload all of the updates from the internet but it would be local so no waste in bandwidth

 

[guest2013-1]

Also as an added on thing I'd do with my own internet cafe is:

Build all PC's with the same hardware (makes a restore easier) and keep backup harddrive/ram/CPU coolers/CPU/motherboards of the same make model as well as PSU's.

Seeing as it's easier to just swop out immediately and then have your PC up and running quickly rather than waiting a few days for the thing to be fixed or get new hardware etc.