Force user to a specific start page

[RocketManLP19]

I work for a library that provides public Internet access to our patrons. At one of our branches, we have jacks that they can plug their laptops in to and they run off their own little "internal" network seperate from the rest of the library.

Problem is, I need to figure out a way that the first page that they browse to is our acceptable use policy regardless of what their start page is set to in the browser. We do this with our wireless network by means of our Nomadix WAP.

Is there a router or some sort of other hardware for wired connections that would do the same? Or, could somebody recommend a software solution that would do the same. I was really hoping that I could setup Squid to accomplish this, but it doesn't seem to have the functionality.

Any help that someone could provide would be appreciated.

[Byte 2.0]

I understand what you are asking, but I don't have a solution. I know some hotels to something like this where the first page is redirected, with no software changes down on the persons computer. If you find a solution, I would like to know how it is done.

[ktkendall]

You should be able to find the same thing for wired ethernet cause wired or wireless is just the transport meduim for the data so it should be just as easy for a wired network. I'm looking at Nomadix and they have what U need, look under applications>Hospitality, and there is what they sell and support for hotels to provide high speed internet access and I'm sure it will have the same thing as your wireless, which is the capability to bring up the start page you want the user to see first..

[RocketManLP19]

I did notice the Nomadix offer before. Unfortunately, it's really expensive and hard as heck to find. Wifiparts.com seems to have been the best place to pick up Nomadix equipment and it's around $1400 or $1500 there. Our wireless access point was around $600 and was worth it for the control we get over the way it works, but we actually don't have many users at all that use the wired connection (right now they have to notify someone and they plug the cables in on the switch). I'm thinking that cost would be way to high.

Thanks for looking, though. I should have mentioned before we need something that's reasonably priced (free would be great ).

[ktkendall]

I figured since your at a Library cost was a real issue, and hopefully you will find a low cost solution, the problem is that what you need is basically a software package to do what you want, or perhaps it could be done via a server on that network but either of those are usually quite costly.. I would perhaps start by calling the help number of Nomadix and explaining that you are a non profit Library, and providing free access but just want to be able to have a certain page come up on the users screens, and perhaps they can either provide a solution or at least suggest how to do it..