Learning Linux

And another thing is the office doesn't have a proxy computer yet so we pretty much open every workstation to go to any sites they want and that cause trouble because like i said we only have 1 broadband internet connection so all the bandwith is gone to the video streaming sites and online games websites.

So the big question is how am I going to limit their activities in the online games and video streaming sites if I didn't install squid or any other proxy yet ??!

Anyway I google my way through the internet and I found a way to block youtube and online games websites without using proxy or squid.

Here's what I do with Linux Workstation :
1. Open terminal or console as root
2. Type : vim /etc/hosts
3. Insert this line :
127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com
127.0.0.1 youtube.com
4. Save the file
5. Restart the network

Okay the explanation is if the user wants to go to youtube.com then instead of going to the original youtube the workstation would go to address 127.0.0.1

Remember this is only works if you setup in the workstation so if you have 30 workstation then you have to repeat the steps 30 times. I know it's plenty of steps but hey if you think you could balance the bandwith flow then it's worth the efforts.

Here's what I do with Windows Workstation :
1. Login as local administrator
2. Open command prompt
3. Go to directory :
c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\ --> For Win 2000
c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\ --> For Win XP or Win Vista
4. Open file hosts
5. Insert this line :
127.0.0.1 www.youtube.com
127.0.0.1 youtube.com
6. Save the file
7. Restart the computer

Well that's how I block certain unwanted website without using proxy or in this case squid.