Internet in Boarding Schools (houses!)

[DanW]

Anyone here working a boarding school.

 

Do you have any policys for internet access in boarding houses?

 

 

I'm being told that we have to turn off internet access through out the night to the boarding houses. I'm being told that it's a legal requirement after a conference the boarding staff went of.

 

 

Can anyone help me shed some light on this.

 

 

Thanks

 

Dan

[ahuxham]

Allowed access apart from enforced "Homework/Studying" between 7-8PM for Years 4-9 and 8-9PM for Years 10-13. No access after Midnight. Unlimited weekend access apart from night time switch off.

[Michael]

A simple solution would be to buy a PoE compatible switch with PoE compatible access points, then plug the switch into a timer so it automatically goes off at say 7pm and then comes back on at 7am for example.

[DanW]

A simple solution would be to buy a PoE compatible switch with PoE compatible access points, then plug the switch into a timer so it automatically goes off at say 7pm and then comes back on at 7am for example.

 

That wouldn't stop them using the network sockets in every room!

[Michael]

Well then design your network in such a way so all switches go off (with a timer) but still allow staff access 24/7 by connecting them to a different switch.

[RabbieBurns]

My old school we used to lock away the kids laptops at lights out. They got them back after school the next day. Problem solved.

[pantscat]

Or perhaps use a web-filter of some sort that will allow timed access? (Smoothwall does this...)

[Batman]

A simple solution would be to buy a PoE compatible switch with PoE compatible access points, then plug the switch into a timer so it automatically goes off at say 7pm and then comes back on at 7am for example.

 

It wouldn't even need to be PoE. If the switches go off then no network!

 

That sounds like a great idea... I love simple solutions

[Danlewis3]

Are they personal laptops?

 

If they are on AD you can set login times i know on ISA you can also set times the internet is active.

[Michael]

It wouldn't even need to be PoE. If the switches go off then no network!

 

I suppose I would prefer PoE as the wireless network itself wouldn't even be broadcasting, although they would be if they were self powered. From a management point of view I also prefer PoE as I can reboot X amount of access points (if needed) from one central point. Call me lazy if you like

[Batman]

It's not lazy... that's the best way of doing things, but could be an unnecessary extravagance when the goal is just to simply cut off the internet I'm weighing up the cost 1 x managed wireless system & new PoE switch vs 1 x mickey mouse mains timer switch from wickes.

[powdarrmonkey]

I'm being told that we have to turn off internet access through out the night to the boarding houses. I'm being told that it's a legal requirement after a conference the boarding staff went of.

 

Ask them which piece of legislation inspired that astounding conclusion. 'Legal requirement'

[bashy]

We have setup smoothwall Guardian with time bands that stop all internet access for user groups. The boarding house are routed direct to the proxy which contains the groups.

[dave.81]

We are a boarding school and have not heard of this wonderful legal requirement.

 

We use smoothwall to cut the net off at 11pm and comes back on at 6.30am.

 

Switches are still on so you do get some 6th Form playing LAN games but thats for the boarding staff to sort out not IT to find a solution.

[Batman]

Switches are still on so you do get some 6th Form playing LAN games but thats for the boarding staff to sort out not IT to find a solution.

 

Although a Mickey Mouse mains timer from Wickes could fix it for you

[dave.81]

It could but then the boarding staff would have no access either

[AIT]

Use ISA Server and time conditions.

[jamesfed]

Websense can do timed access and can work with the AD (so just apply the timed restrictions to whichever security group your students are a member of).

ISA sounds like another good option to.

[Chunky]

Have you thought about just disabling login access for pupils using the tools built into Windows Server? (or do they have to have access to the PCs without the internet at these times?)

 

Chunks.