Configuring Remote Filtering settings

 

Related topics: When server communication fails Configure remote filtering to ignore FTP or HTTPS traffic Configure the Remote Filtering Client heartbeat interval

Use the Settings > General > Remote Filtering page to configure options that affect all Remote Filtering Clients associated with this installation.

For detailed information about how remote filtering works, which components are involved, and how to deploy components, see the Remote Filtering Software technical paper.

1.	Select the Block all requests... check box to prevent users from accessing the Internet when Remote Filtering Client cannot communicate with Remote Filtering Server (fail closed).

By default, users have unfiltered access to the Internet when Remote Filtering Client cannot communicate with the Remote Filtering Server (fail open).

For more information, see When server communication fails.

2.	If you selected the block all requests option, specify a Timeout interval (by default, 15 minutes). During the timeout period, all HTTP, SSL, and FTP requests are permitted.

If the Remote Filtering Client cannot communicate with Remote Filtering Server during the timeout interval, all Internet access will be blocked until communication is reestablished.

Selecting No timeout may lock out a remote computer before the user can establish Internet connection from a hotel or other pay-for-use-provider.

 

Warning  Websense, Inc., does not recommend choosing No timeout or setting the timeout period to a very low number.

3.	Select a Maximum size for the Remote Filtering Client log file size (in megabytes), up to 10. Select No log to disable logging.

This controls the size and existence of the log file the remote computer creates when it is initially disconnected from the Remote Filtering Server. This log file tracks the following events:

The computer leaves the network

The computer rejoins the network

The Remote Filtering Client is restarted

Fail open condition occurs

Fail closed condition occurs

Remote Filtering Client receives a policy update

The computer retains the 2 most recent logs. These logs can be used to troubleshoot connection issues or other problems with remote filtering software.