How to Maximize Router Power
Getting around firmware to get the most from your inexpensive router.
Step 9: Restrict Internet use
If you want to restrict certain PCs from using the Internet during certain hours, you can turn off Internet access for any PC on the network for certain hours. You can also block access to certain Web sites or services, either during certain hours, or all the time.
From the main DD-WRT screen, click Access Restrictions, and a screen like that shown nearby appears. Click Enable, and from the Policy drop-down menu, select a number. You can create up to 10 separate policies. Enter a name for your profile in the Policy Name box. Then click Edit List of PCs. From the list that appears, select PCs either by MAC address or by IP address or range. Click Deny, because you're going to deny access to the Internet or services during certain hours.Now fill out the rest of the screen. You can restrict access by day of the week, for all day or within a certain time range, you can restrict specific services, such as ftp or certain games, you can block specific URLs, and so on. It's all pretty self-explanatory. When you're done, click Save Settings.
Preston Gralla is a contributing editor to Computerworld, and the author of more than 35 books, including Windows Vista in a Nutshell.
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