How can I monitor my network usage/traffic/web sites?
i have about 10 users in my office and i statically assigned all the ip addresses on the computers.
what do i need to setup on my file server so that i can monitor what websites are requested from certain pcs...
ie, i keep seeing the request for certain sites on my OpenDNS stats page, but i dont know who's pc is requesting these sites. this is why i think its time to set something up on the server.
opendns does a great job for blocking domains and filtering web sites, but when it comes down to pinpointing the specific pc, it cant do that.
thanks.
what do i need to setup on my file server so that i can monitor what websites are requested from certain pcs...
ie, i keep seeing the request for certain sites on my OpenDNS stats page, but i dont know who's pc is requesting these sites. this is why i think its time to set something up on the server.
opendns does a great job for blocking domains and filtering web sites, but when it comes down to pinpointing the specific pc, it cant do that.
thanks.
Brian Pierce
The only way you can really do this is to use a proxy server such as ISA server (very capable and expensive) or acFreeProxy (Cheap and Cheerful)
ASKER
can you give me more information on acfreeproxy?
is it hard to setup?
does it run on the file server?
is it hard to setup?
does it run on the file server?
see http://sourceforge.net/projects/acfreeproxy/
You need to set it up on a machine and then direct all of your clients to access the internet through it (via the proxy server settings)
You need to set it up on a machine and then direct all of your clients to access the internet through it (via the proxy server settings)
A firewall can also do this (and more). However this depends on your budget. Have a look see at www.watchguard.com
What else can you tell us about the network setup? be specific like what kind of router or switch and whether there is internet sharing or something else.
Sometimes there are simple ways that we can do things which we may overlook.....
What else can you tell us about the network setup? be specific like what kind of router or switch and whether there is internet sharing or something else.
Sometimes there are simple ways that we can do things which we may overlook.....
ASKER
i have a static DSL acocunt
the dsl router plugs into my firebox x500 firewall
that plugs into a switch, which has 24 ports, enough for the entire office.
i have logged into the firebox firewall before, but i believe i need to pay to have the web filtering and some of the other goodies.
i know i can block ip ranges, so if i know a website that uses a range of ip's or a static ip, i can block it w/o any problems, but i cant seem to find out whether or not i can have it show the users ip address or create a log for me.
thanks
the dsl router plugs into my firebox x500 firewall
that plugs into a switch, which has 24 ports, enough for the entire office.
i have logged into the firebox firewall before, but i believe i need to pay to have the web filtering and some of the other goodies.
i know i can block ip ranges, so if i know a website that uses a range of ip's or a static ip, i can block it w/o any problems, but i cant seem to find out whether or not i can have it show the users ip address or create a log for me.
thanks
Watchguard has feature called hostwatch. Have you used that in real time?
ASKER
yes i have used that in real time. i can see the user on one side and the ip they are connected to on the other. but this is truly live, haha, so it moves very quick. is this information being logged somewhere?
thanks
thanks
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You can pause the Hostwatch. At least in my version it is possible. Perhaps its the same with yours.
ASKER
i think i have paused it before, but i will try to setup the logging feature. pausing it would only help me if i was viewing it while at the office. i am more concerned when the office closes. we have a few employees that stick around to finish up paper work and other misc things. they start a little later in the day so at night when nobody else is here is when i want to make sure things are being logged.
thanks for the link, i will check it out.
thanks for the link, i will check it out.
ASKER
i am in the hostwatch now, however, i have a question about that...
i see all my static ip addresses, besides 2 users. for those 2 users, it shows their computer name. why is that? every ip on my network is static.
i see all my static ip addresses, besides 2 users. for those 2 users, it shows their computer name. why is that? every ip on my network is static.
ASKER
nvm, i guess after a few minutes everything changed to the computer name...
ASKER
is the log server something i have to pay extra for? i am looking at the pdf and it tells me that i need an encryption key.
ASKER
i think i need the configuration guide
Sorry for not replying earlier.With watchguard, logging is a basic feature. You are right, please refer the product documentation about setting up logging.
ASKER
i must need another cup of coffee....
i have found the user guide 4 times already...hahaha
the configuration guide...that is a different story.
i'm assuming it is a separate guide...?
i have found the user guide 4 times already...hahaha
the configuration guide...that is a different story.
i'm assuming it is a separate guide...?
Well I only got a user guide. This is news to me......
Did you check the installation CD. It may contain more info. Also I suppose you are registered on the Watchguard site. Try checking the FAQs.
Did you check the installation CD. It may contain more info. Also I suppose you are registered on the Watchguard site. Try checking the FAQs.
ASKER
yeah, i am on their forums as well. however, my intent for this thread was to see if i can do anything on the server side with my current setup.
no biggie, i will issue points and try the watchguard site since it seems that i can do something at the firewall level.
thanks.
also, in the user guide, it tells you to go to the configuration guide to setup logging. my user guide just lists and explains the features. it tells you how to setup some stuff, but it is not very detailed.
no biggie.
thanks again.
no biggie, i will issue points and try the watchguard site since it seems that i can do something at the firewall level.
thanks.
also, in the user guide, it tells you to go to the configuration guide to setup logging. my user guide just lists and explains the features. it tells you how to setup some stuff, but it is not very detailed.
no biggie.
thanks again.
ASKER
this guide helped me get to the next step. thanks!
ASKER
KCTS:
see http://sourceforge.net/projects/acfreeproxy/
You need to set it up on a machine and then direct all of your clients to access the internet through it (via the proxy server settings)
can we send private messages to other members?
unless i mis read, this says it is only compatible with 2k and not 2k3 server
i was going to download this and play around with it on a test box.
see http://sourceforge.net/projects/acfreeproxy/
You need to set it up on a machine and then direct all of your clients to access the internet through it (via the proxy server settings)
can we send private messages to other members?
unless i mis read, this says it is only compatible with 2k and not 2k3 server
i was going to download this and play around with it on a test box.