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Exclude Infrastructure from filtering in Linewize Filter

Updated

This article is for IT Support with Linewize Filter Appliance.

To ensure the smooth operation of network infrastructure and peripherals on your Linewize Filter network, you should create content filtering policies that allow these devices unimpeded access to the internet. Adding a policy that allows Infrastructure to your Linewize Filter filtering policy set is a simple process:

  1. Create an IP Range List Object Pool or MAC Address List Object Pool containing devices you want to exclude.
  2. Create a Content Filtering Allow policy that uses the IP Range List or MAC Address List.
  3. (Optional) Exempt the IP Range or MAC Addresses from Captive Portal or Walled Garden.

  Warning

Schools using Captive Portal or Walled Garden should use an IP Range List or MAC Address List to avoid unintentionally blocking infrastructure.

Before You Start

Before you start creating an Infrastructure filtering policy, ensure that you have either:

  • Created a list list of Infrastructure IP addresses, IP ranges or MAC addresses
  • Created an IP Range List or MAC Address List

  Note

Using MAC address lists may not always be viable, especially in situations where the MAC address of the core switch matches that of all devices on the network. To check this, go to Statistics > Realtime > Users and Hosts and confirm if every device shares the same MAC address. If you require assistance configuring to see each device's unique MAC addresses, contact Linewize Support.

Create an IP Range List or MAC Address List Object Pool

  1. In Linewize Filter, go to Configuration > Objects > Pools.
  2. Select Add Pool.
  3. For the Pool Name, enter Infrastructure, IP Bypass or MAC Address Bypass.
  4. Using the Type dropdown, select IP Range List or MAC Address List.
  5. Select Save.
  6. Using Import CSV or Add Entry, you can add assigned IP ranges or MAC addresses of your school’s network infrastructure.

Create a Content Filter Policy

  Note

The Locked Allowed policy prevents users from accidentally blocking network infrastructure and ensures devices included on the list can always be accessed.

  1. In Linewize Filter, select Filtering > Content Filtering
  2. You will see your current list of Content Filtering policies
  3. To add a new policy, select Create Policy
  4. Configure the following settings
    • For Name, enter Allow - Infrastructure - All, IP Bypass | All
    • Using the Website/Category dropdown, select All Traffic
    • Using the Criteria dropdown, select IP Address Object or MAC Address List, then select the list you created earlier
    • Select Accept from the Action dropdown
    • Select the Locked checkbox
  5. Select Save
  6. Reorder the new policy to the top of the Content Filtering list.

Exempt IP Range or MAC Addresses from Captive Portal (Optional)

  1. In Linewize Filter, select Configuration > Authentication > Captive Portal.
  2. Select the Captive Portal.
  3. Select Add Exception.
  4. For Name, enter Infrastructure or IP Bypass.
  5. Using the Criteria dropdown, select IP Address Object or MAC Address List, then select the list you created earlier.
  6. Select Add Exception.  

Exempt IP Range from Walled Garden (Optional)

  1. In Linewize Filter, select Configuration > Walled Garden.
  2. Select Add Exception.
  3. Using the Criteria dropdown, select IP Address Object or MAC Address List, then select the list you created earlier.
  4. Select Add Exception.