Hi Folks,

I need some advice - I have trawled the net but have ended up more confused
than when I started.

I've got a wired home network with 4 PCs joined together through a hub.
Telewest are installing broadband on Friday.

I want to set up:

a.. A hardware router to enable each of my PCs to get to the net as
required.
b.. A hardware firewall
Can anyone recommend what kit I should buy? Preferably combining both in
one box.

Thanks, in anticipation.

Jim Roberts

Birmingham

I'm on Blueyonder. I went for a Linksys BEFSR41 broadband switch
router. Available from ebuyer.co.uk for 36.55 in vat - quickfind 37451

It was a case of plug in, switch on and use. If you don't want to
register the MAC address of the router with blueyonder, you can opt to
spoof a MAC address of one of the PC nics. Easier simply to register
the MAC of the router.

Got my BEFSR41 last April. Been powered on 24/7 since. Works a treat.

HTH

Noz
--
Email nozza underscore wales at yahoo co uk

Bluyeyonder will likely provide the modem of their choice. I received a
Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem SB4200. It has an ethernet connector on the
back (in addition to USB). Unless someone knows different, this should work
with ANY ethernet router.

I would also recomment Linksys's BEFSR41, or 81 (8-port) as the way to split
the connection. Do remember that bandwith can get tied up during
simultaneous gaming (or even www surfing), and you might want to spring for
a
package faster than the base 512kbps.

Evan