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Broadcast messages come from the e-mail broadcast system. Alert messages are not
currently used.
Kernel Log
The Kernel is the central component of the Optinet Operating System (OS). The Kernel’s
responsibilities include managing communication between the hardware and software
components. As the Kernel does this, it keeps several key entries in a log file that can be
reviewed. This is an excellent place to begin troubleshooting hardware or software
problems. Some of the entries are common markers or steps that are routinely run by
Optinet. However, pay close attention to messages that concern the hard drive and
messages that repeat several times in a row.
Redirection Pages
Optinet offers two customizable pages for blocking web sites and authentication Directory
Users. The Directory Agent Login Page is defined in Chapter 7: Integrating Directory Users
with Optinet.
Blocked URL
When Optinet blocks web sites based on Internet Usage Rules (IURs), users will be
presented with a Block Redirection or Block Uniform Resource Locator (URL) page. The
Redirection Pages menu allows you to customize the Block URL page to display company
messages, customized phrases, etc.
The first option available under Block URL Redirection Page is Display Blocked Reason. This
will post the reason to users why the page has been blocked, i.e., because of a Blocked
Category, Blocked URL, etc. The next option is the Blocked Phrase. Blocked Phrase allows
you to customize the message posted to users. The default message is “Your access to the
website %blockedURL% was blocked for the following reason:”. The Blocked Reason will
then post underneath the message.
The Bypass Message is for those users who have the password for the Enable Bypass
(setting that allows users to bypass a blocked web site if he/she knows the Bypass
Password). The default message for the Bypass Message is “Click here to bypass the filter
for this website”. Please note that if you have not enabled the Enable Bypass, this message
will not post.
Contact Message allows users to contact the Optinet administrator in case a web site needs
to be re-categorized or allowed. For example if a user is blocked from
http://www.myspace.com.com, but believes that the web site should be allowed or re-
categorized, he/she can send an email by clicking on the link posted in the Blocked URL
page. For this setting to be active, the Contact Email needs to have the email address of
the Optinet administrator. Also note that the URL will not be automatically posted in the
email. You should alter the Contact Message asking users to place the URL in the email.
For Optinet to send the Blocked URL Page, the device needs to know the route taken by the
initial request for redirection. Normally this is handled by a 200 HTTP response, indicating
that the request was received and that the result is the Blocked URL Page. However, by
selecting Redirect blocked pages, you can change the response to a 302 HTTP response,
which redirects the response to another page. The difference with these options is that the
302 HTTP response posts an image of a stop sign located in the top right-hand corner of the
