In your research, you'll find all sorts of techniques to limit internet access such as with group policy, fake proxy settings, etc... I can tell you with 100% certainty that if you have a requirement to limit internet access, the only methods that will guarantee this is a perimeter firewall that supports URL filtering, or a perimeter firewall with a proxy solution, or an endpoint solution (Blue Coat has a free one called K9, not sure its free for business use...you'll need to check). Outside of this design, the other methods can be easily bypassed. If you do not absolutely need a design to guarantee it, but just put measures in place that are not that easy to get around by non-computer literate users then this can be done.Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.

I am in the process of setting up a network with about 13-16 machines, one of which being a server that I have not yet set up. The idea is to have 4 of the machines be able to access the internet at all times. The other machines I would like to be able to turn their internet access (not just web browsing) on and off when ever I may need. I also would need all of the machines to be able to access our network and the other machines within that network at all times. I am currently running Windows 7 and Windows XP between all of the machines, so they do not all share the same OS. Current hardware is: 1) 4-port ISP provided modem 2) 4-port Linksys wireless router 3) 8-port Linksys switch I am looking to upgrade the 8-port Linksys switch to a 16-port equivalent. I wanted to make sure I would be able to set up my network and internet access accordingly before I purchased any new hardware.

In your research, you'll find all sorts of techniques to limit internet access such as with group policy, fake proxy settings, etc... I can tell you with 100% certainty that if you have a requirement to limit internet access, the only methods that will guarantee this is a perimeter firewall that supports URL filtering, or a perimeter firewall with a proxy solution, or an endpoint solution (Blue Coat has a free one called K9, not sure its free for business use...you'll need to check). Outside of this design, the other methods can be easily bypassed. If you do not absolutely need a design to guarantee it, but just put measures in place that are not that easy to get around by non-computer literate users then this can be done.Guides and tutorials, visit ITGeared.com.