If your priority is small, idiotproof and low power, then consider an
all-in-one dsl modem router, optionally with wireless. If you just
gotta get some linux in there then get a linksys and reflash it.
Much lower power draw than a full blown PC. Will also give you the four
port switch and even wireless if you want, for $100-$150 and its
foolproof/resistant.
That said - I'm running a P3 500 with pfsense myself.
Christopher Sawtell wrote:
In our community there is a retired, and therefore somewhat
impecunious, member who has just recently connected to broadband. He
owns two machines, a recently ex-lease laptop and a tower machine of
indeterminate vintage. After expending much time fiddling about trying
to use both the USB and Ethernet connections to the cable modem at the
same time, I think, i.e. hope, that he has realized that the best way
to connect more than one machine to the Internet is to bite the bullet
and set up a router-cum-firewall using the likes of pfSense, IPCop or
similar and a network switch.
I am wondering whether anybody has a suitable, and physically small,
machine hiding in a cupboard which my friend could purchase
economically. An elderly P/II or P/III low profile desktop machine
would be ideal. Alternatively does anybody know of suitable stock held
by a dealer? Ditto for a ~4 line switch.
--
Craig Falconer
