- Gateway PC or router/firewall?
- Posted by Adam Pepper on November 30th, 2003
I guess this is asked often, but I can't see a recent one so here goes...
At present I have my cable modem connected to a PC. That PC is the gateway
for the other PC's on the my home LAN. It works OK
I hear people talking about routers and hardware firewalls. Is it better to
connect the cable modem to a router then onto the LAN, or just leave it
connected to the PC?
--
acmp<><
adam@tech.heaven <not real duh!
acmp at ntl world dot com
http://www.HacksMeOff.pagehere.com
- Posted by David H. Lipman on November 30th, 2003
It's your choice...
Unix is better at acting as a Router than Win32 OS's and you can easily install a FireWall
on Unix or a Win32 PC acting as a router.
A dedicated DSL/Cable Router simplifies the process and consumes less power but is not as
configurable as a PC doing this. Also a device like the Linksys BEFSR41 and similar devices
add a 4 port 10/100 Ethernet Switch.
Dave
"Adam Pepper" <adam@tech.heaven> wrote in message
news:MWtyb.1907$i71.2176469@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
| I guess this is asked often, but I can't see a recent one so here goes...
|
| At present I have my cable modem connected to a PC. That PC is the gateway
| for the other PC's on the my home LAN. It works OK
|
| I hear people talking about routers and hardware firewalls. Is it better to
| connect the cable modem to a router then onto the LAN, or just leave it
| connected to the PC?
| --
| acmp<><
| adam@tech.heaven <not real duh!
| acmp at ntl world dot com
|
| http://www.HacksMeOff.pagehere.com
|
|
- Posted by BudMan on November 30th, 2003
If there is an active firewall program on the 'gateway' pc all things should
be equal. But, with the cost of routers these days keeping a pc on 24/7 or
having to run downstairs to turn it on does not make economic sense. If you
have the network cabling installed go for the router.
"Adam Pepper" <adam@tech.heaven> wrote in message
news:MWtyb.1907$i71.2176469@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
- Posted by Jim Orfanakos on December 1st, 2003
You have three basic options for sharing one TCP/IP address:
1) You can buy a router/firewall with a built in switch such as the Linksys
BEFSR41 Etherfast Cable/DSL Router...for around $70. This will connect all
your PC's together as well as connect to the internet and share the one
internet connection. This is a small device, quiet, cheap, and can be left
on all the time. Each PC is independent of each other so either can be on or
off without affecting the other. If you already have a hub or a switch, go
for the Linksys BEFSR11 model for about $50.
You can also get a router that has both wired switched ports and wireless
capabilities such as the Linksys BEFSW411 Wireless-B Broadband Router. You
will also need a wireless NIC / Adaptor for your PC/Laptop. This will free
you from being physically connected to the router via Ethernet cables.
2) Add a second Ethernet Card to the PC connected to the Cable Modem, and
run proxy software...i.e. MS-ICS, Sysgate, WinGate, WinRoute, AnalogX, and
some firewall software...i.e. ZoneAlarm or BlackICE. You can use a "cross
over cable" to connect two PC's together...but a hub or switch would be
better. A hub or a switch is a must for more than two PC's. This is option
is cheap and easy but requires that the main "router PC" be on all the time,
or at least on while you want internet access from the second PC.
3) If you are up for the challenge, you can setup a Linux system to share
your connection and provide proxy and firewall services. This requires a
third PC and some Linux expertise. You will still need a hub or a switch to
connect everything together.
I would check out the following links for more info on options, products and
reviews.
http://www.linksys.com/configurator/config.asp
http://www.linksys.com/products/whitepaper.asp
http://www.linksys.com/edu/
http://www.linksys.com/edu/homebig.asp
http://www.speedguide.net
http://www.practicallynetworked.com
http://www.cablemodemhelp.com
http://cable-dsl.home.att.net
http://www.broadbandreports.com
http://www.broadbandnuts.com
"Adam Pepper" <adam@tech.heaven> wrote in message
news:MWtyb.1907$i71.2176469@newsfep1-win.server.ntli.net...
- Posted by Ron Hunter on December 1st, 2003
Adam Pepper wrote:
It is somewhat more efficient to have a router/switch doing the job
rather than burdening a PC with the job. For those who don't ever turn
off their computers, the need to have the master PC on in order for any
other computers to use the network isn't a factor, but it is for most.
- Posted by $Bill on December 1st, 2003
Ron Hunter wrote:
Not to mention that CompUSA has a Netgear router/switch for $19.99 after
rebates this week - you can't afford not to have one.
- Posted by Adam Pepper on December 2nd, 2003
"Jim Orfanakos" <jim@-nospam-orfanakos.com> wrote in message
news:VIydnYS6IZKwA1eiRVn-jw@comcast.com...
Thanks.
I have a 10/100 switch in at the mo, the gateway PC is a P3 800MHz that is
not used for anything else (maybe a bit of surfing while I'm doing other
stuff).
I'm not sure of the advantage of a proxy in a small home network. Would you
recommend a proxy anyway? We don't have any kids so filtering is not an
issue.
--
acmp<><
adam@tech.heaven <not real duh!
acmp at ntl world dot com
http://www.HacksMeOff.pagehere.com
- Posted by Strontium on December 2nd, 2003
-
Adam Pepper stood up at show-n-tell, in
za7zb.1015$WD3.90@newsfep1-gui.server.ntli.net, and said:
<snip>
Love that site!
--
Strontium
"It's no surprise, to me. I am my own worst enemy. `Cause every
now, and then, I kick the livin' shit `outta me." - Lit
- Posted by Jim Orfanakos on December 2nd, 2003
I am using that as a generic reference to internet sharing software.
Different vendors / products will have different features built in:
http://www.winproxy.com/english/prod...pgrades_en.asp
http://www.kerio.com/kwf_home.html
http://www.qbik.com/product-wingate.php
My opinion - go for a Linksys Router. Cheap, uses very little space and
electricity - easy to use.
- Posted by Adam Pepper on December 6th, 2003
"Strontium" <abuse@your.isp.com> wrote in message
news:vsq605nh3eqr31@news.supernews.com...
Thanks, it seems as though everyone has pet hates. I just post them for fun.
--
acmp<><
adam@tech.heaven <not real duh!
acmp at ntl world dot com
http://www.HacksMeOff.pagehere.com
- Posted by Lars M. Hansen on December 6th, 2003
On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 11:27:16 -0600, Bill M. spoketh
Looks fine in both IE 6 and Opera 7 for me (except the menu doesn't work
in Opera, making it a one-page website).
Lars M. Hansen
http://www.hansenonline.net
(replace 'badnews' with 'news' in e-mail address)
- Posted by dantsoremove@yahoo.com on December 8th, 2003
In article <za7zb.1015$WD3.90@newsfep1-gui.server.ntli.net>, "Adam Pepper" <adam@tech.heaven> wrote:
Most people are probably better off with a prepackaged router for simplicity.
However if you use a PC, it is much easier to do fancier firewalls and easier
to set up server services, like your own web server, FTP, etc. Its nice to be
able to FTP files into your home file server or TELNET/SSH into your home
machines from work or elsewhere...
