What do I need?

  • Thread starter Thread starter meow2222
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meow2222

Hi

Perhaps you could tell me what I need, networking isn't my strong
point. I assume this will be based on either an old homebuilt PC, or
less likely a laptop (I have a homebuilt lap but would most likely use
a much older one)

I want to connect 5 computers to an internet connection, which is
broadband on ethernet. But...

a) I want each PC to only see the net, and no PC to be able to see
another PC. (If it were only possible to isolate one pc from the
others that would be adequate.)

b) I want to be able to cap the data flows for each PC, to a
daily,weekly or monthly limit.

c) If its possible I'd like some basic means to recognise types of PC
use that would threaten disconnection and alert someone. The prime
things I'm looking at would probably be large levels of upload data
and some known antisocial file names.

d) having said all that, the simpler to set up & use the better! Tall
order eh.

The idea is to run this lot in one standard old PC (with a lot of PCI
slots). 2Mbit data throughput would be enough, more would of course be
better.

I suspect there may some distro of linux thats designed to do just
this, but I've little linux experience.


Thanks, NT
 
I want to connect 5 computers to an internet connection, which is
broadband on ethernet. But...

a) I want each PC to only see the net, and no PC to be able to see
another PC. (If it were only possible to isolate one pc from the
others that would be adequate.)
Click to expand...

1. The OP did not say whether you plan to connect the
PCs by cable or wireless.
2. Network sharing procedures let you control which PC
may see any other PC. To connect to the internet with
sharing forbidden you need no network -- merely enough
jacks on your router or internet gateway.
b) I want to be able to cap the data flows for each PC, to a
daily,weekly or monthly limit.

c) If its possible I'd like some basic means to recognise types of PC
use that would threaten disconnection and alert someone. The prime
things I'm looking at would probably be large levels of upload data
and some known antisocial file names.
Click to expand...

3. These tasks require a custom network, so it becomes
relevant which Operating Systems they use (not specified here.)
 
1.  The OP did not say whether you plan to connect the
PCs by cable or wireless.
Click to expand...

Hi Don. Its cat5e cabled.

2.  Network sharing procedures let you control which PC
may see any other PC.   To connect to the internet with
sharing forbidden you need no network -- merely enough
jacks on your router or internet gateway.
Click to expand...

I'm not clear what you mean there by network sharing procedures. I'm
seeking to prevent sharing at a hardware level rather than through
software choices on user PCs. I dont want packet sniffing etc to be
physically possible.

3.  These tasks require a custom network, so it becomes
relevant which Operating Systems they use (not specified here.)
Click to expand...

Well, the OSes use aren't specified. It'll be a mix in practice,
mostly xp today, some 98 & Vista. But doubtless that will change and
ideally I dont want to rule out linux & dos.

Am I wrong in assuming this has been done before over and over? And
that some piece of software exists to do it?

The main thing is to implement a hardware level barrier between
different PCs. Maybe I just need to know what sort of router to choose
for that - this just isnt my area.


Thanks, NT
 
Hi

Perhaps you could tell me what I need, networking isn't my strong
point. I assume this will be based on either an old homebuilt PC, or
less likely a laptop (I have a homebuilt lap but would most likely use
a much older one)

I want to connect 5 computers to an internet connection, which is
broadband on ethernet. But...

a) I want each PC to only see the net, and no PC to be able to see
another PC. (If it were only possible to isolate one pc from the
others that would be adequate.)
OK



b) I want to be able to cap the data flows for each PC, to a
daily,weekly or monthly limit.
Click to expand...

traffic quota

c) If its possible I'd like some basic means to recognise types of PC
use that would threaten disconnection and alert someone. The prime
things I'm looking at would probably be large levels of upload data
and some known antisocial file names.
Click to expand...

possible, but ups the difficulty and expense enough to make it impractical
for a DIY project

d) having said all that, the simpler to set up & use the better! Tall
order eh.
Click to expand...

A and B should be easy. Adding C will move this project from 10 minutes of
hardware installation and configuration, to 10 months of tinkering, mostly
tearing your hair out and swearing a lot. (don't even think about it, IMHO)
The idea is to run this lot in one standard old PC (with a lot of PCI
slots). 2Mbit data throughput would be enough, more would of course be
better.
Click to expand...

Why? A dedicated router would be a lot simpler and cheaper to set up. Just
got to find one with traffic quota.

I suspect there may some distro of linux thats designed to do just
this, but I've little linux experience.
Click to expand...

linux is incredibly easy to use (a LOT easier than Windows!!!), unless you
go with one of the specialized distros. What you are asking about would
require a specialized distro.

You've got two basic goals that are totally at odds with each other. You
need to make up your mind what you really want.

If you want A and B, you can do it yourself. Just gotta find any cheap
router with traffic quota capability. It can even have just four ports if
it's wireless (it is trivial to run one of the computers wireless...for a
total of 5 computers).

If you want C also, you will need to hire a professional to set it up and
maintain it for you. There is no do-it-yourself solution that wouldn't
require a lot more time and effort than you will want to put into this
project, to accomplish goal C.

If it was me? I'd go with a cheap wireless router and set all users a
traffic quota AND a very strict bandwidth limit on the upload side. This
will accomplish most of what you want to do...and you are looking at less
than $100 in hardware, DELIVERED price (even if you need a wireless adapter
for one of the computers)...and maybe a couple of hours reading the manual
to figure out how to set up the traffic quota and bandwidth quota, if it
isn't obvious in the setup menus... -Dave
 
traffic quota




possible, but ups the difficulty and expense enough to make it impractical
for a DIY project




A and B should be easy.  Adding C will move this project from 10 minutes of
hardware installation and configuration, to 10 months of tinkering, mostly
tearing your hair out and swearing a lot.  (don't even think about it, IMHO)




Why?  A dedicated router would be a lot simpler and cheaper to set up.  Just
got to find one with traffic quota.


linux is incredibly easy to use (a LOT easier than Windows!!!), unless you
go with one of the specialized distros.  What you are asking about would
require a specialized distro.

You've got two basic goals that are totally at odds with each other.  You
need to make up your mind what you really want.

If you want A and B, you can do it yourself.  Just gotta find any cheap
router with traffic quota capability.  It can even have just four portsif
it's wireless (it is trivial to run one of the computers wireless...for a
total of 5 computers).

If you want C also, you will need to hire a professional to set it up and
maintain it for you.  There is no do-it-yourself solution that wouldn't
require a lot more time and effort than you will want to put into this
project, to accomplish goal C.

If it was me?  I'd go with a cheap wireless router and set all users a
traffic quota AND a very strict bandwidth limit on the upload side.  This
will accomplish most of what you want to do...and you are looking at less
than $100 in hardware, DELIVERED price (even if you need a wireless adapter
for one of the computers)...and maybe a couple of hours reading the manual
to figure out how to set up the traffic quota and bandwidth quota, if it
isn't obvious in the setup menus...  -Dave
Click to expand...


ty Dave - the a&b solution sounds great. I'll go do some looking, see
what I can find. Just one last q, I vaguely remember hearing I should
get a network switch rather than a router, is that correct?


thanks a lot!
NT
 
ty Dave - the a&b solution sounds great. I'll go do some looking, see
what I can find. Just one last q, I vaguely remember hearing I should
get a network switch rather than a router, is that correct?

thanks a lot!
NT
Click to expand...


No, what you are looking for is a router. If you need a network switch,
then you are looking at serious professional level hardware that
1) Is definite overkill for 5 total end users (even if that number will
double in the next year or so)
2) Is not something you will want to install or configure without
professional help
3) Is definitely more money than you want to invest, even before you hire
the professional to install it

As a rough estimate, the switch itself is likely to cost as much as several
new workstations. :) Installation extra. -Dave
 
No, what you are looking for is a router. If you need a network switch,
then you are looking at serious professional level hardware that
1) Is definite overkill for 5 total end users (even if that number will
double in the next year or so)
2) Is not something you will want to install or configure without
professional help
3) Is definitely more money than you want to invest, even before you hire
the professional to install it

As a rough estimate, the switch itself is likely to cost as much as several
new workstations. :) Installation extra. -Dave
Click to expand...

Really? What's the difference between these ultra expensive network
switches and ones I've seen for under 30 pounds, or is that a 'how long
is a piece of string' type of question?
 
Really? What's the difference between these ultra expensive network
switches and ones I've seen for under 30 pounds, or is that a 'how long
is a piece of string' type of question?
Click to expand...


OK I've been searching, and got nowhere yet. Usual supplier carries
nothing that does this, despite a wide range of home and pro products.
Is there any brand or supplier I could try?


thanks, NT
 
OK I've been searching, and got nowhere yet. Usual supplier carries
nothing that does this, despite a wide range of home and pro products.
Is there any brand or supplier I could try?


thanks, NT
Click to expand...

Linux and IPTables ? Give each computer its own subnet,
and use a Linux box and a bunch of Ethernet cards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iptables

Linux also has some kind of traffic shaping features. Maybe
you can implement a per-computer cap on bandwidth with this.

http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2000/08/24/LinuxAdmin.html

The only way to do something about content, is with the
equivalent of a "net nanny", and something like that is
not likely to be free software.

Paul
 
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