Hello There!

We're running office network of 10 computers all PCs are using Windows XP. The client computers connect to the internet through SERVER using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Some clients use LimeWire and eat up all the download speed. Asking them to stop using LimeWire is like messing official relationship. That's why I want to silently restrict it from SERVER.

Is there a way to configure ICS to restrict software specific requests?

Waiting for an early reply.

Here's a thread on blocking Limewire that may be helpful.

Vasily

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Originally Posted by helphungry

Hello There!

We're running office network of 10 computers all PCs are using Windows XP. The client computers connect to the internet through SERVER using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Some clients use LimeWire and eat up all the download speed. Asking them to stop using LimeWire is like messing official relationship. That's why I want to silently restrict it from SERVER.

Is there a way to configure ICS to restrict software specific requests?

Waiting for an early reply.

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Any other specific solution will be appriciated.

Thanks

I don't believe ICS is sophisticated enough to do what you want, but I don't have extensive experience using it.

As the referenced thread indicated, you can attempt to block specific ports. For that you need either a router or firewall device/software. This approach tends to be an endless battle if ports used are easily adjusted by the end user or are dynamic. Some file sharing applications even tunnel their traffic in HTTP to help ensure it passes through firewalls.

A better approach is to use a content/traffic filtering device that is application protocol aware, such as Netsweeper or perhaps SonicWALL. These devices cost real money and would be a ridiculous solution for a few problem people, in my opinion.

You're seeking a technological solution to a corporate policy problem. If your administration won't support and enforce a no-use policy, request a dedicated Internet connection for the Limewire users and put them on their own separate network. Impacting the pocketbook may be your only way to gain administrative support for dealing with the issue.