CopySense Appliance Support FAQ

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General

Q: What bandwidth can the CopySense Appliance support?: A: The CopySense Appliance comes in a variety of configurations that can accommodate networks of any size or bandwidth. (60)

Q: Why doesn’t the monitor port require an IP address?: A: The monitor port on the CopySense Appliance operates in a promiscuous mode. It won’t respond to LAN traffic in any way. It is a passive monitor that listens to the data traffic on a network. (47)

Q: Will the CopySense Appliance affect the performance of my network?: A: Since it is not an in-stream device, there is no performance or reliability risk to the network. (48)

Q: What P2P protocols/programs are recognized?: A: The CopySense Appliance recognizes signatures from over 150 popular P2P applications and their derivatives. As new P2P applications are introduced, additional recognition capabilities are provided as software updates under your maintenance agreement (49)

Q: Does it operate on other applications in addition to P2P?: A: Only P2P applications are addressed at this time. All other network traffic is ignored. (50)

Q: How does it block traffic?: A: The appliance can be instructed to block all P2P traffic or to block only copyrighted content from P2P applications. The CopySense Appliance uses a patented packet-resetting process, and it sends a packet reset to both the requesting and sending IP addresses each time they attempt a P2P transfer that is to be blocked. The P2P application is thus forced to time out with an unsuccessful transfer. (51)

Q: How does it recognize copyrighted content?: A: The CopySense technology examines the perceptual characteristics of a media file and compares that signature with those contained in a database of protected works. Publishers of media content register their works in Audible Magic’s database. The database is regularly updated in the CopySense Appliance as part of a content update subscription. (52)

Q: Will it block the download of an MP3 purchased from a retail web site?: A: No. The appliance only operates on P2P applications that are used for free file sharing. It does not act upon any files downloaded from web sites. Please also note that the new release of Napster is no longer a free file sharing service. The CopySense Appliance does nothing to interfere with Napster’s paid-subscription service (53)

Q: My network uses DHCP - Can the appliance help me identify a P2P user's identity?: A: The CopySense Appliance captures IP addresses and ports of every transaction monitored. In a DHCP environment, the CopySense Appliance will capture only the network-assigned IP address. In order to identify the user's identity, a network administrator must look up the IP address in the network lease log. (54)

Q: What about support for the CopySense Appliance?: A: Exemplary customer care is a top priority at Audible Magic. The maintenance agreement includes 8 hour x 5 day telephone and email support. (55)

Q: Does it work in Token-Ring networks?: A: Token Ring is not supported at this time. (56)

Q: Some of the P2P vendors are encrypting their packet content. How will the product be able to function if the packet content is encrypted?: A: Some of the current file sharing systems do encrypt the search process, but do not encrypt the actual file transfer. A move to encryption by P2P developers will increase their legal liability exposure. Further, encrypting in the P2P environment would increase a network manager’s incentive to block all P2P, which the CopySense Appliance can do today. (57)

Q: Where does this system install on my network?: A: The CopySense Network Appliance passively monitors the data traffic on a network. It is a “pass-by” device, not in-stream. The appliance is connected to the network where it can ‘see’ all the traffic you want to monitor. The point of connection is usually in proximity to the main Internet connection. This may be a router, a hub or a managed switch configured with a mirror port. (46)

Q: Can the appliance report on the MAC addresses or provide NetBIOS information about devices?: A: Not in the current release. (59)

Q: I thought P2P trading consisted of mostly music files, why don’t I see more music files identified?: A: Actually, the largest volume of trading on P2P is video, much of which is pornographic. While the ratios vary widely by network, the trading of songs may range from 10 – 30% of P2P traffic (61)

Q: Can I write my own queries against the data?: A: The the CopySense Appliance can generate a comprehensive set of reports with no programming required. Programmatic access also allows customers to do customized reporting and archiving. (58)

Installation

Q: How does it connect?: A: The appliance uses two 10/100/1000 Ethernet network connections. One is used for monitoring all network traffic and connects to a mirror port of a switch. The monitoring connection does not require an IP address. The other network connection is used for controlling the device. This is a standard port where the device will reside with a static IP address. (62)

Q: What do I need to install the CopySense Appliance?: A: You'll need a monitor, a PS/2 style keyboard, 2 Ethernet (CAT-5) cables, a hub/bridge or a managed switch, 2 power outlets, 2 unused ports to your network, 1 static IP address, and a workstation for remote administration (63)

Q: Can I use a dynamic IP address for the control/management port?: A: No. It requires a static IP address. (64)

Q: How long does it take to setup the appliance?: A: It will take about 15 to 20 minutes (65)

Q: How can I configure the appliance remotely?: A: : First, make sure the CopySense Appliance has been configured to recognize the IP address of the administrator’s workstation. From that workstation, open a browser and enter the appliance's IP address. At the prompt, enter the administrator ID and Password. You can configure the appliance from the administration page (66)

Q: Can I change the Monitor port and Control ports on the appliance?: A: No, the appliance comes pre-configured with the Monitor and Control ports. They are marked as "M" for Monitor and "C" for Control. Please make sure the network cables are correctly connected to the appliance (67)

Troubleshooting

Q: Why can’t I access the Administration page after logging to the appliance?: A: Only the ”administrator” id has permission to perform any administration. If you login under the “monitor” id, the only permission you have is for generating reports. (72)

Q: I’m not seeing any LAN traffic reported by the appliance. Why is that?: A: Several things may be wrong: 1) First check that the appliance is connected to your Monitoring Point. Is the LAN link light (a green light on the back of the appliance) glowing? If not, there is some physical problem with the LAN cable or the hardware. Perhaps your equipment requires a “cross over” cable? 2) Is the LAN link light (a green light on the back of the appliance) blinking? If not, your switch or hub may not be configured correctly. 3) Check the packet capture report. See the chapter Administration / System. 4) If you connect the monitor port to a managed switch, make sure you have configured the mirror port(s) correctly (68)

Q: How can I find out who“owns” an IP address?: A: Several web sites provide this information. Some sites you can try are: whois.arin.net, www.apnic.net, www.ripe.net/db/whois/whois.html (69)

Q: Why can't I ping or log into my CopySense appliance from a remote workstation?: A: For security, the appliance will only respond to ping requests from IP addresses that meet the criteria specified in the management hosts and subnets. See the section Administration / IP Addresses. Verify that the IP address of the remote station you are attempting access from is in the range of allowed IPs (70)

Q: Why can’t I access the appliance remotely?: A: First, make sure the workstation you are using is on the same subnet as the appliance. Next, check the appliance to make sure the "Management host/subnet" is configured to recognize your workstation IP/subnet address. (71)