internet cafe management help needed

[[OUPA]MrNutz]

Hi peeps..

i need to help out a friend here...

they have got 20 pcs in their internet cafe.

have got a 4mb adsl connection running via a router thus default gw.

now...they would like a solution (micro$oft based) that:

-can prohibit p2p on pcs
-allocates x speed per station
-give centralized screen control for checkups.
-limit their sessions - if time X expires - screen goes blank.

it doesn't have to be exactly that - but close to that.

have tried a few shareware tools on the net - but its really lacking functionality..and userfriendlyness on the admin's part

thx

mrnutz

 

[spiderz]

May have to look at a dedicaded linux firewall solution (http://ipcop.org/). (Can use an old pc to to this, software is free)
Not so sure about MS software for doing that.

 

[murray654]

Have you seen these:

1 http://www.cafemanager.com/

150 Euro for 20 licences

2 http://www.cybercafepro.com/

$279 for 20 licences

The Windows products all seem to lack bandwidth control.

They (your friends) either need the linux box mentioned, or if they can not waste time setting it up get a router designed for this purpose:
http://www.webantics.co.za/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=589

R4740.12

Connect the switch to the public port and it will control internet access from your lan. It includes a firewall and bandwidth management. You can restrict the user to use web and e-mail only, and control speed for each user. It might seem pricey, but I think it will pay for itself fast, depending on what your friend charges for Internet access. And you then have a wireless hotspot so it could increase sales?

 

[vangend]

http://www.cafezee.com/
and use a linux box for the bw

 

[Gromitt]

why not give Mikrotik a bash, their OS has all the mentioned features. We use it for WIFI hotspot mamagment, works like a charm

 

[lion_fish]

I use Cafe Suite for my internet cafe's.

http://www.cafesuite.net/

I find them very good for fixed cable cafe networks.

PS: works very well on MS Vista platform.