My Router is a WRT54G2 and I'm wondering if there's some way using the router management screen to prevent or limit clients from running torrents on my wireless network.

Any help would be appreciated.

1/31/2010 3:48:53 AM

block all ports except for 80?

1/31/2010 4:07:36 AM

^ Something Like this. At least with that router. if you can redo the software and put on tomato or something do it.

Then just start blocking ports and/or put some security on it so you know whos using it to connect.

1/31/2010 10:14:06 AM

torrents are a PITA to block but I thought that router had a way of doing it with the original firmware that was pretty simple. i have one somewhere at work in a drawer somewhere so i'd have to look to be sure.

i'm also almost certain there's a way of throttling by IP address--that would take care of the problem more than likely regardless.

1/31/2010 10:32:25 AM

see if you can run tomato or ddwrt. I run tomato on my wrt54gl and it has a thing to setup or block stuff based on ports and protocol. You can also setup QoS so you could allow torrents, but put them behind everything else in priority.

1/31/2010 11:29:18 AM

You asked about it over a PM, but i figured it might help others if i just post it here:

First you need a router firmware that has qos tools. I use tomato:
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

Check the list of compatable routers to figure out if yours is supported. Check against the router model number AND version on your router.

For QoS stuff check the FAQ here for general help:
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomatofaq

But basically there are probably two places you want to go to once you have tomato installed. QOS -> Classifaction is the first thing.
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomatofaq#what_should_i_enter_for_qos
Rules are pretty straight forward. You choose a set of things to match on (IP address/port/protocol/etc...) and then assign a priority. By default on tomato web traffic is usually prioritized over everything else. You can also add stuff for voip if you wanted.
To set bit torrent to a low priority, set the rule to any address, any port, tcp/udp, Lowest class, and then set IPP2P to bit torrent. That should classify bit torrent traffic as lowest priority.

If you want to straight up block bit torrent traffic go to Access restriction.
http://www.polarcloud.com/tomatofaq#in_the_access_restriction_page

There you create rules in a similar manner to QOS. You can also setup who is immune to your restriction rules here. Basically you're going to create a new rule, run it all day, every day, and then apply it to all addresses except the ones in the list. There you can whitelist IP addresses you dont want to block. Then go to the Port/application rules and add a rule like the above QOS one for all addresses any port, etc... but with ipp2p set to bit torrent.

There are probably ways to get around it with encryption, but most people aren't going to figure it out. That said, even with QoS in place bit torrent traffic will still hammer away at your router, it'll just get knocked back in line a bit. This means your web traffic and anything else you specify gets out first, but the router does have to use CPU to identify and reprioritize bit torrent. Web stuff will be fine during bit torrent downloads, but things like RDP or voip may not be perfect.

Play around with it and see what it does for you. You can also get more specific info if you search google for tomato qos rules.

1/31/2010 5:23:19 PM

i came in here to basically post ^ that.

1/31/2010 6:43:03 PM

I assume that this is for home use.


Just go tell your roommate "Look motherfucker, I don't appreciate you sucking up all the goddamned bandwidth with your torrents."


Don't be passive aggressive about it.

1/31/2010 7:02:49 PM

^

1/31/2010 7:32:07 PM

don't be passive aggressive


the best goddamn advice on TWW


ever.

1/31/2010 8:59:27 PM

If this is not for home use, technology should not be used to solve what is essentially a people problem. The technology should be used to mitigate security threads / vulnerabilities not directly related to employees (trojans ,worms, viruses, etc.). Create a workplace policy AND enforce it surrounding running torrents on the business network.

Pretty simple policy where I work, you will be caught and you don't want to be caught.

2/1/2010 7:08:47 AM

^ was waiting for someone to post that.

2/1/2010 2:06:19 PM

Quote :

"I assume that this is for home use. Just go tell your roommate "Look motherfucker, I don't appreciate you sucking up all the goddamned bandwidth with your torrents." Don't be passive aggressive about it."

most if not all torrent programs have a timer built in, tell them they are only allowed to have upload/download during off hours (2am-10am or something).

2/3/2010 12:31:31 PM

Utorrent 2.0 final was released today. Tell him to download that.

a uTP bandwidth regulation in it.

Quote :

" uTP is an alternative communication method for BitTorrent traffic that allows the client to automatically regulate its bandwidth usage to avoid adversely impacting your internet connection. This will allow you or other users on the network to download their torrents but still allow others on the network to function with little difference. This does not require any additional setup. In addition, uTP in this version has added its own form of STUN, a method of getting incoming connections without direct connectivity to the Internet. This allows µTorrent to punch holes through routers and firewalls to increase connectivity and improve speeds. It is even possible to connect two firewalled peers through uTP's NAT traversal feature. "

2/3/2010 2:37:14 PM

ahahahah

2/8/2010 5:02:29 PM

roommate got our $55 15/1.5 connection terminated because of stupid public trackers.

2/8/2010 8:13:34 PM