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    Using L7 to block embedded video and audio traffic

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Traffic Shaping
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    • C Offline
      chuksonpfsense
      last edited by

      I have been trying to block embedded video and audio traffic using Layer7 traffic shaper but it has NOT worked.

      I configured the Layer7 with "httpvideo" & "httpaudio" protocols and also configured the firewall rule. Attached are the screen shots of the Layer7 and Firewall rule configuration.

      The pfsense is run as the router/firewall and also runs squid and squid guard. The squid is running in transparent mode.

      I will appreciate any guide to help me solve this problem
      Traffic_shaper_layer7.jpg
      Traffic_shaper_layer7.jpg_thumb
      Firewall_Rule_Part1.jpg
      Firewall_Rule_Part1.jpg_thumb
      Firewall_Rule_Part2.jpg
      Firewall_Rule_Part2.jpg_thumb

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      • S Offline
        shawniverson
        last edited by

        What specific kind of embedded video and audio are you trying to block?

        httpvideo and httpaudio is specific to RFC 2616 traffic, a very specific kind of stream using http.

        I.E.  This would not match Youtube traffic, for example.

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        • C Offline
          chuksonpfsense
          last edited by

          I wouldn't know what "RFC 2616 traffic" is but i meant like embedding video in ".flv" format in a web page. Check this site for example:

          http://www.chelseadaft.org/

          The video at the right side of the page starts playing as soon as you open the page. That's the kind of embedded video i'm looking to block.

          Thank you

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          • M Offline
            markuhde
            last edited by

            @chuksonpfsense:

            I wouldn't know what "RFC 2616 traffic" is but i meant like embedding video in ".flv" format in a web page. Check this site for example:

            http://www.chelseadaft.org/

            The video at the right side of the page starts playing as soon as you open the page. That's the kind of embedded video i'm looking to block.

            Thank you

            That's not what those profiles block.

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            • C Offline
              chuksonpfsense
              last edited by

              What kind of traffic does "httpvideo" block then? I looked at the .pat file of the profile, i discovered that the code is same with what is used to block such embedded videos in mikrotik routers, infact i have used it and successfully block such videos.

              Any suggestion on how to block or filter such embedded video?

              Thanks.

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              • E Offline
                eri--
                last edited by

                You have to tweak the number of packets sent up to the layer7 daemon.
                Normally its sendign only 5 [packets which might not be enough for the regex to match.

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                • C Offline
                  chuksonpfsense
                  last edited by

                  how and where do i do the tweaking?

                  does it mean after tweaking, i can use the "httpvideo" protocol?
                  please a little more insight so i can get it done.

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                  • A Offline
                    abubin
                    last edited by

                    have you tried using flash instead in L7 filter?

                    I am trying to limit bandwidth for youtube right now. I am using L7 with flash and httpvideo. It seems to be working in causing the videos not to load. I am actually trying to limit the bandwidth with 2m line. But instead, the videos just doesn't load for me. Once I disable that filter, youtube works again. So I am pretty sure that one of those filters are blocking youtube.

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                    • F Offline
                      Fehler20
                      last edited by

                      I can confirm, that httpvideo catches YouTube Video traffic. Maybe you have to specify WAN, because the regex maches the Response, not the request.

                      have you tried using flash instead in L7 filter?

                      I am trying to limit bandwidth for youtube right now. I am using L7 with flash and httpvideo. It seems to be working in causing the videos not to load. I am actually trying to limit the bandwidth with 2m line. But instead, the videos just doesn't load for me. Once I disable that filter, youtube works again. So I am pretty sure that one of those filters are blocking youtube.

                      I was able to configure this Scenario with 2.1beta. So theoretically it should be possible :).

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                      • A Offline
                        abubin
                        last edited by

                        hmm..any notable problem with 2.1beta? If no major problem then I will upgrade to it. Else I have to stick with stable release.

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                        • F Offline
                          Fehler20
                          last edited by

                          Have now tried with 2.0.3. It works, too. Only difference to your config is that I filter both wan and lan.

                          Or maybe your ethernet nic is not compatible with queues.

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                          • A Offline
                            abubin
                            last edited by

                            i am currently using 2.0.3.

                            IP limit is working when I limit them to IP addresses. Only when I use limit on L7 youtube and flash, it cause that problem. Any idea how I can check what is the exact problem? Should I post my configs here? BTW, I am using LIMITER in the L7 config not QUEUE.

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