Limiting Internet Access

Hello,

I'm Hoping someone could help me. Is ther an easy way to control internet access amoung work computers? Currently we have dial-up (Cable coming soon) and I would dial-up on my computer and can share my internet connection with all 5 computers. I don't want this. I would like to dial the internet and only share with 1 other computer. All the computers are Windows XP machines and still need to use file sharing.
Is there a software that allows certain user names to access the internet?
Whats going to happen when the cable modem gets hooked up? I think I'm going to have a real problem then.

Thank You,
Matt

 

The properties of the modem using to connect should provide options as to which ICS clients you wish to serve.

When you get cable, it should be a simple as defining a dummy gateway IP on the clients you do not wish to connect.

 

Also, once you get cable, you may want to opt in getting a router, so you can stop using ics. Just my thoughts.

 

The computers are conected thru a Linksys workgroup switch. I assumed the cable modem would plug into one of those ports. That makes it worse because with the dial up I can choose to share or not share. If its pluged into my switch I have no options on sharing. I loose control on who gets on the internet and who don't.
I have good employees but sometimes they like to play. (who doesn't) I don't want it to become a issue so I'm trying to get it taken care of it before its a problem.
Maybe I should wait and see what happens once its connected.
It seems to me that Windows XP is determined to get on the internet any way it can and finds the best route automaticly.

Thaks for the replies,

Matt

 

A switch will not be enough when you get cable internet. You will need a router to act as a "gateway" between your network and the public network known as the internet. When you do have this set up, you can easily deny access to the internet for a single machine, by defining the wrong IP address for gateway on the machine that you want to deny access to. That causes the machine to look in the wrong place for internet traffic. Post back when you're ready, and someone will be able to help you, if necessary.