I am currently using my daily used FP imac to serve a small website. I was thinking of getting an older G3, maybe beige, or even a 71-8100, to put on the network to serve the site and free up the iMac. I mostly want to do this to make things a little 'safer'. I use DSL with a D-Link router, I have the firewall setup on the router. I was thinking of using the G3 as a firewall also. Could I hook it up between the modem and router? maybe with a ethernet nic in and one out?? can this be done? Fairly new to networks, so not sure of the ins and outs. Thanks for any help or suggestions!!
If all you have at your home is Macs, then setting up a Mac-based firewall is sortof unnecessary overkill. But if you have PCs, IMO, it's worth the trouble to filter for windoze viruses.
7xxx and G3 Macs make wonderful Router/Firewall/Servers. And, for the most part, they're faster than D-Link routers (if you don't use PPPoE). All you need to do is add a 2nd ethernet interface (a PCI card) and some software.
For details, take a look at the networking information and products from Sustworks. http://www.sustworks.com/
As an example, my home set-up is:
PowerMac 7100/66
Ethernet built-in <--> Comcast cable modem.
Ethernet slot 2 <--> 8-port ethernet hub.
PPP <--> V.90 modem (local ISP, when Comcast is down).
Software:
Mac OS 8.6
IPNetRouter (NAT Routing, DHCP, basic firewall)
IPNetSentry (advanced firewall)
IPNetMonitor (throughput monitor, ping/trace/nslookup tool)
NetPresenz (http & ftp server)
File Sharing (AppleTalk file server)
VNC (remote control)Connected to the ethernet hub are two other hubs, four Macs, two PCs, a big Xerox printer, and an Axis print server (which has three printers connected currently). Probably going to add an Airport, in bridging mode, shortly.
The 7100 tends to bog a bit if you get too carried away with firewall filters while someone is doing a big file transfer over AppleTalk, so I'm thinking of replacing it with a 7300/180. Or maybe just add the 7300 to our network as a dedicated file server...
HTH, - Dan.
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