Limiting Bandiwidth in a Shared DSL Environment?

stylee asks: "We have a DSL connection that runs from a Cisco 675 DSL modem to a 24 port hub. Cat 5 cable has been run to the utility closet of each unit. The condo assoc. pays for the DSL from the monthly condo fees collected. The internet connection has been terribly slow the last few days, so I did a little snooping with ethereal and found that there is an individual who is using eDonkey 2000 to download and share movies. This user is eating up all the bandwidth. I want to set up a good router that can do load balancing so that an individual can't take up all the bandwidth and I was wondering what Slashdot would recommend. I would have to do it on the condo assoc. dime so it would have to be done on the cheap. Any suggestions?"

If I knew what "bandiwidth" was...

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd might be able to tell you how to limit it.

Re:first off

[ottawanker]

it sounds like your condo associaton needs an internet usage policy- considering this guy's actions could get everyone in trouble.

No, actually as I see it, he's the whole building's alibi. Go ahead and download music, just blame him if anyone gets caught.

Simple solution...

[meta-monkey]

Several posters have already mentioned managed switches, linux routers with iptables, etc, but I've got a much simpler solution for you. It's a wonderful product manufactured by the Louisville Slugger [slugger.com] corporation called a "baseball bat." With this fine product in hand, march over to the offending user's apartment, and smartly inform him that he is using too much bandwidth. If he refuses to self-throttle his bandwidth, offer to throttle him and his computer with the genuine wood Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Problem solved. Thank me later.