Your school is obviously shaping. Here's an example of how a p2p bandwidth shaper can work against Gnutella: Bandwidth Shaper Sample - typical of how some schools use it (click on link) ie: giving priority to net surfing & low priorities to p2p sharing. A proxy is an option, but Only A Hobo's suggestion is the wisest. You don't want to get into trouble with your school. Going against their rules could get you expelled!