Setting up an advanced Lan ?

I have a lan already setup with 13 pcs all running Windows Xp pro. These PCs are subject to public use so I have made some restrictions on all of them, however I've recently expanded my network to include other PCs that aren't in the same location and as a result I'm unable to apply the same restrictions. I also want to place extra restrictions that are not possible with the current setup. Like bandwith monitoring/throttling, website filtering....etc.

So what should I do ? Install Windows 2003 Server and figure out my way through that ? I believe a server would probably be the ideal solution for my situation, but most of the articles I found are about business application of the windows 2003 server rather then its application to control a small network. So am I going about this the wrong way, is there something better I could do ? Or should I go ahead and install Windows 2003 server ?

Also, do you guys know of any articles relating to advanced management of Lans ?

 

Why are you not able to set machine policy restrictions on the computers that are in a different location?

 

cause I don't own them. I'm using my lan to share a big internet connection with several other people. I want to apply some restrictions to my own PCs while applying other restrictions (like bandwith throttling/monitoring) and other stuff to the other PCs I don't own. I want to keep file sharing open but I don't want certain parties to have access to the files as well. And I can't really select who can and can't access stuff with out a server.

Bandwith throttling can probably be done by a seperate application thats installed on the server, the problem is I'm not quite sure how to tie up the workstations to the server with proper configuration. Most of my searches ended up with server applications for businesses, how to setup web servers and stuff that I don't need at all.

 

If they are not your pcs then you cant place restrictions on them. Maybe if you ask the owner of those pcs if they can place the restrictions you want in exchange for the internet access.

 

Might try using a spare pc, and an linux based os, called smoothwall to filture/limit traffic, really quick and easy to learn/setup. www.smoothwall.org

 

If you do not exceed 75 computers, it is easier to use Windows 2003 SBS with ISA server.
Trial Software (180 days) Kit for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/trial/default.mspx

Trial Software (180 days ) ISA 2006,
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4b-a923-45dd-8520-48b63b6be97b&DisplayLang=en

 

Why not ? If they're all logged onto the same domain I can easily group PCs together in seperate groups then apply permissions on them all.

I doubt linux would be able to properly manage windows PCs, at least not in the way I stated above.

Thats the way I've been inclined to go, but I've never used it before so I'm not too familiar with what I'm going to do after its installation. All tutorials and articles about Windows Server 2003 R2 are about small business applications like setting up DNS, HTTP, email or other types of services which I don't need.
I guess I'll go ahead and install it then figure out my way through it. If anybody knows any tips about working with windows 2003 then please post /

 

http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Installing-and-Configuring-SBS2003.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/evaluation/faq/default.mspx#EIBAA

http://www.smallbizserver.net/

 

I would take a look at a Linux solution operating as a firewall between the guest lan and your lan. You could probably apply restrictions through the Linux firewall or even simply narrow the pipe to 10 Mb through the Linux fiirewall. Maybe worth looking into and way cheaper than 2003 server.

 

perfect, I can see why those never came up in my searches. Thanks.

I've been intending on trying out linux for a while so I might check it out. I already have a copy of windows 2003 I borrowed from a friend so thats why I'm more inclined on testing the windows server. But I'll probably give linux a try as well.

 

How will you get around the Activation Process?

 

No my example would work, as your not controlling the pcs them self, but apply restrications by using a linux box as a firewall/nat/router. It would definitaly be worth checking out, for shelling out cash or useing an ileagel copy of win2003 server software.

 

I did want to try controlling some of the PCs myself. However, I seem to have found a serverless way of achieving a good amount of the effects I originally wanted within windows xp's maze-like permission set. So this will probably make the linux solution more viable now, I'll still have to experiment.

I'm still experimenting so the activation time will be more then enough for now.