Numerous companies have already installed a broadband access to the internet. Leased lines to connect different locations, are getting more and more replaced by secured connections via the internet (VPN's). The excessive use of Internet and Intranet often causes an overload of the broadband link. At the same time it became very common to work interactively using terminal servers or secure shell. Thereby the user works on a centralized server, which manages and transacts the various applications and delivers a screen output.

The extensive use of the broadband connection often leads to substantial data traffic jams. Therefore, working interactively can result in dissatisfaction or even frustration. Undeniably, there is a need for controlling this massive data traffic. The interactive traffic, which requires short response times, should definitely be preferred to heavy data exchanges like up- or downloads of large files.

The solution developed by us allows to provide by means of a central configuration both the setup and the regulation of the bandwidth from a central location in several dozen satellite stations that are connected to the central site by VPN. In order to achieve the aspired regulation within the VPN-band the internet access needs to be limited to fixed up-/download bandwidths for any satellite station. Any subsequent modifications of the configuration are automatically copied to and activated in the satellite stations by the central site. Therewith the fine-tuning and the adaptation to new bandwidths may be done within best time and without any inconsistencies. As a VPN- and internet-gateway with packetfilter-firewall also acts the linux-based regulation-PC. With the traffic control activated, data may be transmitted within the limited bandwidth by interactive applications without delay and independently from other use of the broadband connection.