Zone Alarm blocking network access sometimes

[David Ellis]

Two XP SP2 computers are connected by Ethernet LAN. One also
connected to a paid wireless hotspot. Network Setup Wizard
made it possible for the client to access the internet.

But Zone Alarm 5.5 on the server sometimes prevents the
client browser (Firefox) from loading a web page. Sometimes
a domain on the internet cannot be pinged. If I temporarily
disable ZA, the browser and the ping will work. Most of the
time everything works with server ZA enabled.

But when the client is first started, server ZA must be shut
down to enable the client to obtain an IP address. This is a
consistent condition. ZA Internet and Trusted Zone Security
are set to medium.

Another problem. Sometimes, while Firefox is opening a web
page on the client the touchpad and keyboard become
inoperative. Ctrl Alt Del has no effect. A power off
shutdown is required. The Event Viewer shows nothing that
might explain the lockup.

Where does this network newby begin investigating the cause
of the ZA blockage and the occasional lockup.

--David

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Two XP SP2 computers are connected by Ethernet LAN. One also
connected to a paid wireless hotspot. Network Setup Wizard
made it possible for the client to access the internet.

But Zone Alarm 5.5 on the server sometimes prevents the
client browser (Firefox) from loading a web page. Sometimes
a domain on the internet cannot be pinged. If I temporarily
disable ZA, the browser and the ping will work. Most of the
time everything works with server ZA enabled.

But when the client is first started, server ZA must be shut
down to enable the client to obtain an IP address. This is a
consistent condition. ZA Internet and Trusted Zone Security
are set to medium.

Another problem. Sometimes, while Firefox is opening a web
page on the client the touchpad and keyboard become
inoperative. Ctrl Alt Del has no effect. A power off
shutdown is required. The Event Viewer shows nothing that
might explain the lockup.

Where does this network newby begin investigating the cause
of the ZA blockage and the occasional lockup.

--David

See this ZoneAlarm web page:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/techNote_9.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=GB&lang=en

It describes how to configure ZoneAlarm Plus or ZoneAlarm Pro to work
with ICS on the server. It also says that the free version of
ZoneAlarm doesn't support ICS and is not recommended on the ICS
server.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[David Ellis]

See this ZoneAlarm web page:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/techNote_9.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=GB&lang=en

It describes how to configure ZoneAlarm Plus or ZoneAlarm Pro to work
with ICS on the server. It also says that the free version of
ZoneAlarm doesn't support ICS and is not recommended on the ICS
server.

Steve, ZApro is installed and the problems have disappeared.
Thank you for the accurate and timely diagnosis, and the
helpful Zone Labs link.
--David

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve, ZApro is installed and the problems have disappeared.
Thank you for the accurate and timely diagnosis, and the
helpful Zone Labs link.
--David

You're welcome, David.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com