For $200 you can build [almost entirely] new ones. Go to any computer show in your area, and you can pick up a mobo w/built-in AMD 1.2GHZ + case + 128MB RAM for approx $120-$140 (see http://www.pcchips.com.tw/M810Lv71c.html as an example of such mobo), then add a low end hard drive (even used one is OK in this case, instead of the whole system beind used) and a CD-ROM for a total of no more than $200. I have built a couple of systems for my kids this way, and I even got from the vendor 256MB, instead of 128MB, for only $15 more (because the built-in AGP card uses shared memory form the main RAM ... and I wanted a slot only occupied with 256MB, for future possible growth). And I am talking here gaming machines, with much more power needed than a firewall. And they are [almost] new ... :) ... and they come with integrated NIC also ...
You can also get a lower end "kit" (< 1GHz CPU) for good prices from www.tigerdirect.com. I like things cheap, but I also like them new ... especially as they come with some warranty :) My $0.02, Stef On Friday 29 November 2002 09:01 pm, Jay D. Dyson wrote: > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > On Sat, 30 Nov 2002, ALBEE,RUSSELL. S FC2 (CV63 CS5) wrote: > > Does anybody know of any good locations online to purchase old 486 > > machines or low end Pentium machines for use as a Firewall and/or IDS? > > I've tried searching on google and just keeping getting links to Pentium > > 4 computers. I will be using either a Linux or BSD flavor on these > > machines. > > I'd say your best bet is to search on ebay.com. I've personally > managed to find some relatively older eMachines (533i and 600is models) on > there at very reasonable prices (~$200, including shipping). All machines > I've purchased have been in fine working order and all now live happily > running Linux as IDS, firewalls and -- on occasion -- full-fledged > Xfree86-enabled workstations. > > The only caveat: pay close attention to the seller's history and > feedback. A long list of happy buyers makes for a happier transaction in > my book. > > - -Jay
