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I have 10 machines all running on Windows 7 Pro. 3 machines running on windows 11. 1 Windows server acting as the server and a few printers. All connected through Dlink unmanaged 24 port switch. I'd like to monitor local transfers, in case somebody copies huge data from a PC on a hard drive, all the internet connections made by the applications and block certain hosts and computers on the go. I currently do this with the individual host files. I'd also like to see and block devices using my Wifi by their name or Mac address on the go. Just wanting to have control over who gets connected to my network and what comes into the network and what goes out. I also have a few notorious students sometimes coming into my office and plugging in their laptops with loads of illegal software which I really resent but I understand where they're coming from. I'd like to block all their apps connecting to the internet but chrome. Any solution for this?
Answer 1:
It sounds like you are looking for a network monitoring and management solution that can help you monitor and control network traffic on your network. There are many different solutions available that can help you do this, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
One solution you could consider is using a network monitoring and management tool like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM). This tool allows you to monitor network traffic in real-time, including local transfers, internet connections, and device connections. It also provides the ability to block certain hosts or devices based on their name or MAC address, and can alert you when certain network activity occurs.
Another option is to use a network firewall, such as the built-in Windows Firewall, to control network traffic and block access to certain applications or devices. This can help you prevent unauthorized devices from accessing your network and block unwanted traffic from entering or leaving your network.
Overall, there are many different solutions available that can help you monitor and control network traffic on your network. It may be worth consulting with a network security specialist or IT professional to determine the best solution for your specific needs and budget.
Answer 2:
If you want to monitor and control the network traffic on your network, one option is to use a network-based intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS). This type of system can monitor network traffic in real-time and alert you to any suspicious activity, such as large data transfers or connections to known malicious hosts. It can also block traffic from specific hosts or devices based on their IP address or MAC address.
Another option is to use a network firewall, which can also monitor and control network traffic. A firewall can be configured to block specific types of traffic, such as traffic from known malicious hosts, and can also be used to block specific applications from accessing the internet.
Both of these solutions can be difficult to set up and maintain, so if you are not familiar with networking and security, you may want to consider hiring a professional to help you implement and manage these solutions. Additionally, keep in mind that while these solutions can help to secure your network, they will not prevent students from bringing illegal software into your office, so you may want to consider other measures to address that issue
Answer 3:
It sounds like you're looking for a network monitoring and management solution for your office. There are a few options available that can help you accomplish the tasks you've described.
One option is to use a network monitoring and management tool such as Microsoft System Center or SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor. These tools can help you monitor local network traffic, see which devices are connected to your network, and block specific hosts or devices. They can also help you monitor internet usage and block specific applications from accessing the internet.
Another option is to use a network security appliance, such as a firewall or a VPN, to monitor and control access to your network. A firewall can help you block specific devices or hosts from accessing your network, and a VPN can help you encrypt your internet traffic and restrict access to specific applications.
It's also worth mentioning that you can use the hosts file on each individual machine to block specific hosts or domains from being accessed. This can be a useful way to block access to certain websites or services on a per-machine basis.
In terms of blocking illegal software, it's worth noting that this is a difficult task and may not be possible to accomplish completely. However, using a network monitoring and management tool or a security appliance can help you prevent unauthorized software from accessing the internet, which can help reduce the risk of illegal activity on your network.
Overall, the best solution for your needs will depend on the specific requirements of your office and the resources available to you. It's worth taking the time to research and compare different options to find the solution that best fits your needs.