iTunes killing bandwidth

[nopixies]

This seems like a really savy group so I think I will ask this question...

I know this is unpopular to some but I need a way to limit or stop iTunes sharing traffic in the office. We have 35 macs and they are sharing iTunes play lists and services which is absolutely killing the internal bandwidth. We need this for the 3D rendering we do and the VOIP services.

We do not mind the local use by the user and encourage it to be used. We have turned off the itunes sharing but it just gets turned back on over a few weeks time. I need to turn off the sharing ports without killing other services and I need to do it without the user being able to over ride it in iTunes. Ideas appreciated...

thanks a billion

[nopixies]

For those who might care I did find a way to stop iTunes sharing. Unfortunately the users can no longer admin their own box which is really making for angry clowns...

Don't run just duck and cover!

[MacHeadCase]

Welcome to MacApper, nopixies. Hope you enjoy your stay. :)

I unfortunately have no clue whatsoever about network stuff, but I'm sure others in here do. They might offer you a better solution.

[dtravis7]

I looked to see what port iTunes sharing uses. Check this URL. This is for opening the port in a firewall to allow sharing, but all you have to do it block that port instead. Should work. Here is the URL.

http://www.salingfamily.net/trav/osx/itunes.html

What version of OSX is on the machines?

Let us know if you get it to work. I can imagine with all those users sharing that it taking up a lot of bandwidth on your network.

[Sherman Homan]

The moment you want to manage the network traffic of user's programs you land in the arena of Active Directory or Open Directory. They give you control. A local user with admin privileges over his/her computer can end run just about anything if you don't have a AD or OD server.
Then again, solving it with Human Resources might work if it is adequately explained. Your office crew must understand the nature of network traffic and how personal use can impact business needs...

[Sherman Homan]

Does blocking the port affect people on the local LAN? Or would you have to block 3689 on everyone's machine?