ICS gateway connects on its own

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pete Stevens
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Pete Stevens

I'd appreciate some help with an annoying and potentially
expensive problem.

My three PCs at the office all run XP Pro SP1. They're
connected as a simple workgroup via a hub, and access the
Internet over an ISDN line through one of them configured
as an ICS gateway.

It all works fine except that, with all machines switched
on, a connection keeps being established. Not a major
problem if someone's using the host and can cancel the
connection, but can be expensive if the gateway machine is
idle and the connection stays active. The problem doesn't
seem to arise if the other two machines are switched off.

The connection is set to drop after 20 minutes inactivity,
but I'm unconvinced this works properly if the connection
is established on a machine other than the gateway itself.

All machines are kept more-or-less up to date with Windows
Updates, although the automatic feature is turned off
except on the gateway. They also run NAV but again
Automatic LiveUpdate is disabled except on the gateway.

I'd really like to get this resolved soon - wasted loads
of time trying to troubleshoot it on my own - so would
very much appreciate any help. Thanks.
 
This is because one of the other machines is trying to access the internet for some reason. If this is a problem at night perhaps disable the connection that has your internet attached to it. Otherwise, disable ICS.
 
I would look at installing a firewall appliance between
the ISDN POP and your network. I would teach the firewal
to drop all broadcast packets, esp those not destined for
the internet.
 
Hi,

There are lots of background processes which periodically
pop out to the Internet and check for updates.

ZoneAlarm is free and if installed (on the ICS machine)
will tell you what connections are attempting to go out.
Block the frequent ones and ones you don't really need.

Regards,

Tim
 
What I'd suggest is to make the connection unautomatic on the ICS gateway
computer.
two steps on the Gateway:

1. In Control Panel -> Network and Internet Connections -> Internet
Options -> Connections
select "Never dial a connection.

2. while NOT connected to the ISDN connection, In Control Panel -> Network
and Internet Connections -> Network Connections
double click the ISDN connection icon (as if to connect to the Internet),
and UNselect "Save user name and password for the following users:".

NOTE: In order for it to not connect automatically, the connection has to be
password dependent, if it's not, you should contact your ISP to make it
password dependent.

If you follow these steps the ICS gateway should not connect without a
person working on it.
 
I have had dial a connection enabled but the third tab has the options for
sharing (ICS) - untick the midle option (dial the connection). However I
would select never dial a connection also. To overcome not being able to
dial out install a proxy server that allows HTTP/HTTPS, POP3 and SMTP
traffic. Therefore the computer will automatically connect and would
reliably disconnect provided there is no spyware/adware trying to connect
via HTTP. I have kept an eye on what is being accessed. Things like
MSN/Hotmail and yahoo have been set to local so that they don't cause
dialing up and don't extend the connection time but do work once connected.
Others I have banned altogether.
 
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