How to allow Facebook access only during lunch hours using App Control Advanced in SonicOS

How to allow Facebook access only during lunch hours using App Control Advanced

Resolution for SonicOS 7.X

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.5 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 7.X firmware.

Create a Schedule for Lunch Hours:

• Navigate to OBJECT ||MATCH OBJECT ||SCHEDULE: 
• Click on Add
• Provide a Schedule Name and configure the Schedule as per the screenshot below

NOTE: In this scenario, we are scheduling Facebook access only during lunch hours. The days and the timings can be set as per your requirement.

Schedule Type is of three types:

• ONCE
• Recurring
• Mixed

ONCE: For a one-time schedule between the configured Start and End times and dates. When selected, the fields under Once become available, and the fields under Recurring become dimmed.

RECURRING: For a schedule that occurs repeatedly during the same configured hours and days of the week, with no start or end date. When selected, the fields under Recurring become available, and the fields under Once become dimmed.

MIXED: For a schedule that occurs repeatedly during the same configured hours and days of the week, between the configured start and end dates. When selected, all fields on the page become active.

TIPS:

• Time must be in 24-hour format, for example, 17:00 for 5 pm.
• If the fields under Once are available, configure the:              

• Starting date and time by selecting the Year, Month, Date, Hour, and Minute from the drop-down menu in the Start row.
• The hour is represented in 24-hour format.
• Ending date and time by selecting the Year, Month, Date, Hour, and Minute from the drop-down menu in the End row. The hour is represented in 24-hour format.

• If the fields under Recurring are available:

• Select the checkboxes for the days of the week to apply to the schedule or select All.
• Enter the time of day for the schedule to begin in the Start Time field.
• Enter the time of day for the schedule to stop in the Stop Time field.

Configuring Schedules in Gen7 SonicOS:Configuring Different Types of Schedules in Gen7 SonicOS

  Block Facebook using App Control Advanced and apply the Schedule:

• Navigate to POLICY ||SECURITY SERVICES || App Control.
• Set the category to Social Networking.
• In the Application drop down menu, Select Facebook.
• Click on the icon next to Facebook and set the Block to Enable and Log to Enable.
• In the Schedule drop down menu, Select  "Facebook Lunch" and click on OK to save the settings.

Enable App Control on the Zones required:

• Navigate to POLICY ||MATCH OBJECT | Zones
• Edit the Zone Required and check the Enable App Control Service option to apply the App Control to the devices on that Zone.

Resolution for SonicOS 6.5

This release includes significant user interface changes and many new features that are different from the SonicOS 6.2 and earlier firmware. The below resolution is for customers using SonicOS 6.5 firmware.

Create a Schedule for Lunch Hours:

• Navigate to System | Schedules
• Click on Add
• Provide a Schedule Name and configure the Schedule as per the screenshot below

NOTE:  In this scenario, we are scheduling Facebook access only during lunch hours. The days and the timings can be set as per your requirement.

 
   In the above screenshot, two schedules are created in the schedule list, One is from 00:00 hours to 12 noon and the other schedule is from 13:30 hours to 24:00 hours and the same rule will be applying from Monday through Friday.
 

  Block Facebook using App Control Advanced and apply the Schedule:

• Navigate to Firewall | App Control Advanced
• Set the category to Social Networking
• In the Application drop down menu, Select Facebook.
• Click on the icon next to Facebook and set the Block to Enable and Log to Enable.
• In the Schedule drop down menu, Select Facebook for Lunch and click on OK to save the settings.

Enable App Control on the Zones required:

• Navigate to Network | Zones
• Edit the Zone Required and check the Enable App Control Service option to apply the App Control to the devices on that Zone.
   

• At this point Facebook should be allowed only during Lunch Hours (12:00 to 13:30 hours)