how-to block ads
|
kksdragons
Waiting For Godot
Premium
join:2000-10-10
Lake Forest, CA
clubs:
| reply to kksdragons
Re: Resurrect an old PC as a firewall?
From what I'm reading, the ClarkConnect s/w allows you to "create" a router and the SmoothWall mentioned in this article would help you create a router/firewall. Now, I have always thought a router and a firewall were two different pieces of h/w. Has the game changed on me or am I losing it?? :O I have a router (Linky) but certainly have never considered it a firewall. But the info at SmoothWall DOES say it's for creating a quote:
hardened Internet firewall device, turning an Intel (or compatible) PC or server into a replacement for a hardware firewall router
So, does this mean something like this Smoothwall (or ClarkConnect?) would replace my Linky as a router WITH firewall-type security? I thought I could just make a separate hardened firewall in addition to the network I already have set up (and working just fine, TYVM  ).
?????
--
KKd:)Ideal Job: Social Director on first intergalactic flight.(Project Manager, until then...) | |
scottkeen
join:2001-06-05
Kailua Kona, HI
| I've set up a Linux SmoothWall before too. But, in the end I decided to go with a dedicated hardware firewall, in particular the ZyWALL-1 (which is a true firewall, not a router).
I think what sets firewalls apart from the "blocking" capabilities of routers are basically the ability to:
1) block incoming as well as outgoing ports
2) block certain types of content (i.e. Javascript or ActiveX) from incoming and outgoing
3) program rules for ports and IP addresses
4) protect from DoS, SYN Flood, LAND Flood, Ping of Death, and other types of attacks
5) SPI - Stateful Packet Inspection. Verify that the packet of data coming in is from someplace on the LAN that originated it.
Now, a firewall is just a firewall. It's not a router. Some firewalls having routing abilities and even include built-in switches, like the ZyWALL which is a hardware firewall, routes, and has a built-in 4-port switch. And only $130 bucks.
I don't know enough about SmoothWall to say if it has all the hardware firewall capabilities that dedicated hardware firewalls have. | |
|
