[NTLUG:Discuss] OT- What DSL router do you recommend?

[Kevin E. Ivey]

Wayne Dahl wrote:
> 
> It's interesting that you mention this Rick.  I had been having thoughts
> about converting an old PC I have into a firewall because I have an
> inherent mistrust of NAT firewalls when it's possible that someone
> inside the private network (my wife) can and has downloaded virii on the
> M$ portion of the network.  The problem is, you never know what might
> get downloaded that might start sending from within your
> network...so...I'd thought about setting up something a little stronger
> and more reliable anyway.

Howdy,

My Router/NAT/LAN gateway/firewall box is the remains of the first 486 
PC I ever had.  Except for a replacement VESA Local Bus motherboard and 
the two 3C509 nics I got for $5.00, it is all original 1994 stuff.

The reason I mention this is to let you know that you don't need heavy 
iron hardware to sucessfully route internet traffic.

I tried floppyfw, LRP, and Freesco and could not get them to work with 
my two identical 3Com Nics.  I realizes I had a working copy of S.u.S.E. 
4.something on a 200MB HDD that was gathering dust.  After getting the 
kernel modules for the nics loaded with very little effort, I created a 
small script to make sure the thing would come back to life after a 
power failure (no UPS).  It has worked perfectly for two+ years.

I went back in to clear out the log files and decided to strip out all 
the X stuff and other junk it does not need since it sits behind a 
filing cabinet with no monitor/keyboard/mouse.  Now there is plenty of 
space on the 200MB drive for the logs.

Total cost?  Five bucks and a weekend of most enjoyable hacking...
Oh yeah, I did buy another patch cable ;>)

keVIn
-- 
Join the Fort Hood area Linux Users Group [HOODLUG]!!
http://www.coollist.com/group.cgi?l=hoodlug