Password Protected Gateway/Firewall for Network of Windows Boxes

[stew0010]

I cannot seem to find a Linux solution that does what I'm looking for.
Here is what I would like to do:

I have a bunch of Windows PCs. Right now they connect to each other and the internet via a router. (But could be traded for a switch and a Linux box.)

I want to password protect internet access with a web-based login. When the web browser opens, they see a login prompt of some kind. If they log in correctly, they have access.

That would be the ideal situation. If that is not possible, then maybe some kind of authentication via telnet before the Windows PC is allowed access through the Linux Gatway?

Is this possible? If so, what do I need and what do I do?

[cuervo73]

here is something that will do what you want:

http://nocat.net

cuervo