Professional Internet Cafe/Univeristy Network Setup - How do they do it?

At many colleges, hotels and web cafes, they have a screen pop-up once you connect to the internet. How can I have this on my network? Do I need special hardware? Can I enforce a certain homepage? Also, how can I disable Instant Messaging services?

 

I don't know about the screen. But you can block the ports that the IM programs use. Just google AIM ports and you should be able to find which ports you can block.

 

They generally use 3rd party (paid for) software to enforce regulations and settings on the PCs.
Something like what's listed here- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cyber+cafe+software&btnG=Search

For a home network, most routers wil allow you to block specific ports or even programs by name. That would solve your IM problem. Enforcing a homepage generally has to be done on the local machine.

 

I think the homepage thing that Hotels / Inet Cafes do is via thier Proxy servers as a simple re-direct of any http request to the login page. With a proxy server, you have a significant ammount of control over the network traffic going through it. Usually they have 2 network cards, one connected to the 'local' network, and the other connected to the internet. The proxy server acts as a traffic cop with any network traffic going through it, and can pretty much direct it as needed. The port-blocking functions in some routers is basically a simple proxy server, though a full-blown proxy can also do other things, like maintain a cache on the LAN of any websites visited from any workstation.

Though a policy could be enforced on the local workstation at the OS level if it was on a domain, or via a local change, I doubt that they can make the neccessary registry settings to machines that are not on thier Windows domain. Even if they could, there would be major backlash from people that went home and found that thier homepages have been changed.

 

lmychajluk is correct, I was thinking too simply. Proxy servers and controlled gateways are the most powerful way to do this. This is what most hotels use. It also can get expensive very quickly, since you need at least one or more dedicated machines for the proxy/gateways, usually higher end routers, and then someone to make it all work. Generally prohibitive for a small (under 20 PCs) network.
But for a lan cafe where people are not bringing their own machines, and you own all the machines in the building, management software and direct control over the PC is more prevalent.

 

the stuff you see at starbucks or borders or whatever is a box solution; they buy the solution from the pay service they subscribe to.