Question

Internet Connection Security & Monitoring Solutions for SMB Environments with Small Business Server

Asked by: PeteJH

Hi Everyone,

I am just wondering what people recommend and use for Internet Security and Monitoring on their SMB sites with Small Business Server? I have a growing number of clients who all seem to want similar features in their security solutions such as:

1. The ability to monitor their users Internet usage history on the firewall to check on what sites they are browsing and whether they are using non work related software like Live Messenger, P2P file sharing, Bit torrent downloading etc.
2. The ability to monitor the internet usage in real time.
3. The ability to easily block access to Facebook, Hotmail, P2P, Live Messenger and other non productive items.  
4. The ability to monitor their Internet downloads/uploads and find out what is using all the bandwidth. For example, if their monthly downloads are abnormally high, they would like to see where the traffic is coming and if it is web browsing, the email server, people using P2P or Bittorrents etc that is using all the downloads.  

I realise that ISA server can do most of the above, but what do people recommend other than ISA? I am interested in any combination of hardware or software that would satisfy the above requirements and that is in the price range of an SMB client. I will appreciate any feedback on what people are using, even if it doesn't satify all the points I have mentioned.  

Cheers,
Peter

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Asked On
2008-04-09 at 22:27:29ID23310633
Tags

Microsoft

,

Small Business Server

,

2003

,

Internet Connection Monitoring

Topics

Windows 2003 Server

,

SBS Small Business Server

,

Windows Networking

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: devinnoelPosted on 2008-04-09 at 22:58:47ID: 21322043

http://www.sonicwall.com has some nice small business firewall/networking appliances. I know they can do content filtering (prevent users from getting to whatever sites), and would assume you could just audit instead of block if you wish. Relatively inexpensive compared to more robust solutions, but provide good service and performance.

 

by: devinnoelPosted on 2008-04-09 at 23:07:29ID: 21322074

http://www.sonicwall.com/downloads/DS_NSA_Series_DS__US.pdf

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Generally any firewall should be able to block P2P, IM's, or anything using a specific set of defined ports. Thoeretically they can block particular websites, but in practice a true firewall isn't suited to keep updated with all the constantly changing websites and what not. A proxy server is usually better for filtering web traffic. A lot of smaller business appliances blur the line and include proxy type functionality along with firewalling in their appliances.

 

by: Burns2007Posted on 2008-04-09 at 23:22:41ID: 21322127

Trend micro has a good plugin module for Cisco ASA's, if yuo are using that for your firewalls.

http://www.trendmicro.com.au/au/about/news/pr/article/20070124110442.html

Does filtering of internet etc, with site categories such as adult/ads/gambling etc that are configured from Trend and updated daily.

 

by: Burns2007Posted on 2008-04-09 at 23:23:30ID: 21322132

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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