>>2) My ADSL line which connects to the firewall uses USB, so is it still a >router? since it doesn't have 2 NIC's..... >NO. I assume you may be running PPoE somewhere for the ISP connectivity.
Actually, your computer could still be a router even if you do not have two ethernet cards. A router simply routes between two IP networks. It does not matter if the data link layer is Ethernet, Token Ring, PPP, ATM, etc. The USB connection to the ADSL line counts. >>3) Obviously, my firewall machine will have to act as a router, so what is >the best software to use to achieve this? >Hmm.. not sure but if you really want a router and firewall why not use one >of the cheap SOHO products like Linksys or Netgear ? Otherwise, I suppose >you could buy a Cisco DSL router. As long as the operating system you are running will work with the USB device you already have, I would not recommend getting anything extra. Although bridging firewalls exist, routing firewalls are far more common. Any *nix flavor will act as a router. Windows 2000 can be set up as a router in the advanced TCP settings, but I personally would not run Windows at the perimeter. Since it looks like you already have Linux expereince, I would recommend NetFilter (iptables, built into kernel 2.4). You can read up on it at http://www.netfiler.org/. You can also look at running snort on your Linux client if you get a chance. You may be surprised at what is going on on your network. Good luck, Eric Schroeder "Vachon, Scott" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 05/01/2002 12:38 PM To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> cc: Subject: RE: Home Security. >INTERNET ----------------ADSL Modem------Firewall Machine-------HUB--------Server |____ Linux Client. >My questions are these: >1) What is the best operating system / firewall software combination to use on the firewall machine? (I think i'd >>prefer to use a MS product though) BSD or Linux if not MS, otherwise you could try out Tiny Personal Firewall on top of XP or 2000. TPF is free and IMHO very good. >2) My ADSL line which connects to the firewall uses USB, so is it still a router? since it doesn't have 2 NIC's..... NO. I assume you may be running PPoE somewhere for the ISP connectivity. >3) Obviously, my firewall machine will have to act as a router, so what is the best software to use to achieve this? Hmm.. not sure but if you really want a router and firewall why not use one of the cheap SOHO products like Linksys or Netgear ? Otherwise, I suppose you could buy a Cisco DSL router. >3) I've got Win 2000 Server as my server machine, but I can't seem to Install any Anti-Viral software or Firewall software... Is this just my machine, or is it a problem with Win 2000? Not sure on this one...perhaps a permission problem ??? >4) If I want to make my network secure, is there any other products I should invest in, besides Anti-Virus and Firewall software? Perhaps logging and or SNMP software. This will allow you to collect info, monitor changes, and/or make network changes. >5) Lastly, what would I need (besides telnet) to use to access my Linux box from the server securely? (If the server is an MS-OS) would Exceed do it? Not sure with Exceed but, I would recommend ssh vice telnet... Disclaimer: My own humble two cents... ~S~
