how to monitor router activity

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adams H
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Adams H

We are using Netgear Router in most offices in Northern California offices.

Most are Net gear router modele MR814 & WGR614, 4 wired ports and 1 wireless
port; and WG311 wireless adapters.

Is there anyway to monitor the router activity? Anyway to see which port
(wired and wireless) is active and network traffic. Also, want to make sure
nobody outside our approved users is using the wireless ports?

We know about the router log in the router set up page (from all ports, all
mixed), showing what URL is contacted and time stamped.

Thank you.
 
Adams H said:
We are using Netgear Router in most offices in Northern California
offices.

Most are Net gear router modele MR814 & WGR614, 4 wired ports and 1
wireless port; and WG311 wireless adapters.

Is there anyway to monitor the router activity? Anyway to see which port
(wired and wireless) is active and network traffic. Also, want to make
sure nobody outside our approved users is using the wireless ports?

We know about the router log in the router set up page (from all ports,
all mixed), showing what URL is contacted and time stamped.

Thank you.


You could try Wallwatcher

http://sonic.net/wallwatcher/

I don't see your routers on the supported list but if the will write an
external log they will probably work.
 
These Netgear routers are usually used in residential (as opposed to
business) environments. Don't know how much logging is available
other than what you state below.

However, with respect to the wireless, you ARE using WPA2 or at
least WPA, aren't you? That would limit usage to those to whom you
have given the passphrase.



We are using Netgear Router in most offices in Northern California offices.

Most are Net gear router modele MR814 & WGR614, 4 wired ports and 1 wireless
port; and WG311 wireless adapters.

Is there anyway to monitor the router activity? Anyway to see which port
(wired and wireless) is active and network traffic. Also, want to make sure
nobody outside our approved users is using the wireless ports?

We know about the router log in the router set up page (from all ports, all
mixed), showing what URL is contacted and time stamped.

Thank you.
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
Barb Bowman said:
These Netgear routers are usually used in residential (as opposed to
business) environments. Don't know how much logging is available
other than what you state below.

However, with respect to the wireless, you ARE using WPA2 or at
least WPA, aren't you? That would limit usage to those to whom you
have given the passphrase.
We used different WPA and WPA2, set up depending on each department manager
or department tech.
 
Hi
Entry level Router do not maintain logs rich enough to do what you would
like to do.
Wireless (especially business) must be encrypted, and as posted above No one
would log unless you give them the Key.
However if people "share" the key with others it Not secure either.
The usual way businesses control the Wireless is either by using Wireless
Hardware that has much more elaborate log on controls. Or if you already
have a server in your office you can add to it RADIUS Server (Windows 2003
IAS) and it would provide the control needed.
 
Kerry Brown said:
You could try Wallwatcher

http://sonic.net/wallwatcher/

I don't see your routers on the supported list but if the will write an
external log they will probably work.

Thanks Kerry. Found WallWatcher, in their hardware list, it does not include
the entire Netgear MR series of popular routers.
 
I downloaded Wallwatcher last night but can't get it to install, it just
keeps telling me a .dll file is missing (can't remember which one, off hand)
It does actually cover the netgear router I am using.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
John Barnett MVP said:
I downloaded Wallwatcher last night but can't get it to install, it just
keeps telling me a .dll file is missing (can't remember which one, off
hand) It does actually cover the netgear router I am using.


You need to download the library as well. It's right under the download link
on the main page. If you are installing it in Vista there is also a section
in the FAQ that may be appropriate.
 
Hi Jack,
On this RADIUS thing,..Does that prompt the users for authentication prior
to them actually connecting to the WAP? What happens if there is no cached
user profile on the machine before hand? I use the Windows ZCU instead of
the Vendor's nic utility to make sure a profile gets created if it isn't
already there, but how (or does?) RADIUS effect that? Can it be integrated
into the Windows logon so that there is only a single sign on (SSO)?

What I am worried about is the user who has never logged onto that
particular machine with their credentials before and so there is no user
profile. In the one particular case we use wireless it is not really
possible to always expect the user to connect the machine with a cable and
log in the first time so the profile gets created,... and the business runs
24/7,...the IT guy (me) does not.

We might use wireless more than we do, but some of these usuablility issues
have prevented that.

--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------
 
Thanks Kerry I'll give it another try. It's not something I'm particularly
bothered about, but I like to keep up with other MVP software
recommendations.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Hi
Entry level Router do not maintain logs rich enough to do what you would
like to do.
Wireless (especially business) must be encrypted, and as posted above No
one would log unless you give them the Key.
However if people "share" the key with others it Not secure either.
The usual way businesses control the Wireless is either by using
Wireless Hardware that has much more elaborate log on controls. Or if
you already have a server in your office you can add to it RADIUS Server
(Windows 2003 IAS) and it would provide the control needed.

http://www.fortedownloads.com/LUTEUS-Radl-Free-Radius-server/
 
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