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[Cranium]

I have a child, which I need to set up a schedule for limiting internet access.

The current Linksys router I have does this; however, it does not terminate existing connections.  It only prevents new ones during the scheduled period.

More specifically, at 2 am, World of Warcraft does not get shut off because the connection already existed when the schedule took effect.  The rule does block new connections, though.  I have also tried to focus on the port (3724) with a schedule and had similar results.

Does the DGL-4500 exhibit this same behavior, or will it terminate existing connections when the schedule takes effect?

[Fatman]

The DGL-4500 will exhibit the same behavior.

The preferred method for ensuring that the connections get closed, and that the point is driven home is to set up a schedule on their PC to shut down at 2am.  this will ensure they can't claim to have forgot the time, and guarantees they will need to open new connections.

[Cranium]

Not the answer I was hoping for, but thank you.  It seems a bit odd that a router can't terminate connections.

Setting up a schedule on the PC (to execute a shutdown or logoff command line) is less than ideal.  It takes control away from a central spot which I can remotely manage each PC(even from work) and places the burden on physically setting up and managing each PC. It is also like using a sledgehammer to crack an egg (more force than necessary).   

[Fatman]

It is considered bad form and even technologically troublesome to close open connections at the gateway.

If you want central managment even from work, then create a shutdown script and have it shut down all the networked PCs, then manage the 1 cron job from your "server".  If you don't already have it, set up RDP on your main PC to push the script.  You will find this a much more manageable central spot for managment to boot.  If you want to get fancy set up WoL scripts and blink the PCs every 5 minutes, this is particularly effective in a school lab.

While I certainly respect the argument that this is more force than necessary, if the only tool we have is a sledgehammer, we work on our finesse at cracking eggs with them.  As is this is about the limit of the control we have with the tools on hand.

//Anything below is merely my incessant rambling and should be taken with less than a grain of salt.  But I like hearing myself type, so I will continue.

I don't have any young ones (much to the glee of the female species as well as my parental units who don't consider me a prime candidate for spawning), but if I did, and the authority of my will was insufficient to ensure compliance then such measures would be a boon as they strongly reinforce the (possibly mystical depending on age) control you have.

Then again I was raised with 24/7 completely unrestricted net access from a young age (other than the school night lights out, which could be very literal), I more or less roamed free.  I would also be extremely foolish not to think that my parentals were ignorant of my online mischief.  My father has been in IT my entire life, thankfully the arms race stalemated peacefully when I became an adult (that and a format to my favorite Linux distro plus TOR can significantly cut my concerns, at that point physical monitoring is most likely).

That isn't possible if you have a child who plays WoW, WoW is much harder than any drug to kick.  I lose friends to WoW more than any other drug.

[Cranium]

Thanks for the info and the rant.

It appears that phone tech support is not as educated as you.

The support tech put me on hold several times to consult with senior techs and came back with this answer:  The DIR-855 (I inquired about both the DGL-4500 and DIR-855) will forcibly shut down an existing connection with scheduling enabled.

While I tend to believe that your information is supported by the limitation of my current router, I have to say that I'm a bit dissappointed receiving opposite answers from 2 support personnel.  I wish everyone were on the same page. 

And for the record, I had called them prior to making this post.  The tech did not seem sure of himself and it took a long time to come up with an answer so I thought I would double check here.

[Fatman]

I apologize for the confusion, let me assure you that my answer is the correct one and that I will look into  the answer you received.

If you received any case IDs, or if you could provide me your name and phone and e-mail you used on the phone via PM that would aid in my investigation.

That said, I should add that I am a horrible person, despite all my tough talk about evil drugs, I actually purchased a WoW game card and WotLK pre-order for a friend as a gift.  I should probably sit in the shower tonight scrubbing for hours.  I am on the road to becoming a flip flopper here.

[Cranium]

LOL....PM on its way.

[thecreator]

I have a child, which I need to set up a schedule for limiting internet access.

The current Linksys router I have does this; however, it does not terminate existing connections.  It only prevents new ones during the scheduled period.

More specifically, at 2 am, World of Warcraft does not get shut off because the connection already existed when the schedule took effect.  The rule does block new connections, though.  I have also tried to focus on the port (3724) with a schedule and had similar results.

Does the DGL-4500 exhibit this same behavior, or will it terminate existing connections when the schedule takes effect?

Hi Cranium,

You might want to look at Beta Testing the newest Network Magic Beta Version. It no longer supports Net2Go, but offers Password protection of its settings, Control Internet Access for parental controls.

You can sign up at: https://beta.linksys.com/callout/default.html?callid={FD6AC53A-ADB3-4A21-B93B-C909A4697637}