Blocking Limewire/P2P apps Upload Only

December 4, 2005

Hi List,

Is there a way I can block the likes of limewire uploading (without
blocking d/l) at a network level preferably via a filter rule on the
router or server s/w in a home network environment.

The problem I have is ppl on the network forget to close limewire and
leave their machines on and of course this gobbles up all the
bandwidth. I have successfully implemented a rule to block limewire
altogether at the router but this does not go down to well with my
users!

Many thanks,

Sam

- Why not get a bandwidth/QoS control device (you can even build one with
a linux box if you so desire) and limit the amount of upload bandwidth
they can use? There are small programs that can be installed in linux
firewalls, there are also dedicated devices to do this..

The options only depend on what you’re most comfortable with.

The nice thing about QoS controls is that you can say, other traffic
gets priority, but if there is no other traffic, limewire can use all
available bandwidth.

- My advice would simply be to go with the plan to ban P2P traffic. Your
user’s complaints can be ignored if there is not legitimate use that
provides value to your organisation. You users griping over the bar on P2P
file sharing is nothing compared to the headache of policing illegal
content and malware which is a constant part of P2P life.

If you allow it and it causes trouble would you want to be responsible?

Jim Halfpenny

- There are several packet classification projects out there that may help
you.

http://ipp2p.org/

http://www.shorewall.net/IPP2P.html

http://l7-filter.sourceforge.net/

http://hippie.oofle.com/tiki-view_articles.php

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