rated727
July 7th, 2008, 03:44 AM
Please post your experiences and impressions about the software/hardware combinations that you may be using to implement a dedicated hardware firewall. "Inquiring minds want to know"
I am using an old PC with SmoothWall software as a dedicated hardware firewall (mostly because I have a couple of MS Windows machines in my peer network). Graphically, my home office looks like this:
___internet provider
|
|_Cable modem
. . |
SmoothWall box
. . |
Network hub
. . |
Peer networked computers (3)
My SmoothWall computer consists of:
AMD K6 processor 200X2 mHz - 192 Mb RAM - 4.0Gb HDD - 4X CD ROM
If I couldn't use it as a firewall, this computer would only be useful as a boat anchor.
In addition to serving as a firewall, the SmoothWall software includes Clam Antivirus. Installation (text only, no mouse) was almost entirely automagic, and once installed, there's no more need for monitor or keyboard. Interface with the SmoothWall box is done through the internet browser of one of the computers in its protected (green) zone. The potentially dangerous WWW is on the red zone. With a 3rd NIC you can also set up a computer to serve up web content on the orange zone, and I didn't even start to find out about the purple zone. There is more functionality in SmoothWall that I have need. I believe that it is configurable to serve a far more complex network than I have.
After installation, SmoothWall is totally transparent. I check and install updates twice monthly, but with that as the only exception, I never need to touch it ... and isn't that the way software is supposed to work?
How safe and secure do I feel? About 96% covered. Do I relax? No. Would I give up my SmoothWall box? Not on your life!
-- I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather. I don't want to die screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
I am using an old PC with SmoothWall software as a dedicated hardware firewall (mostly because I have a couple of MS Windows machines in my peer network). Graphically, my home office looks like this:
___internet provider
|
|_Cable modem
. . |
SmoothWall box
. . |
Network hub
. . |
Peer networked computers (3)
My SmoothWall computer consists of:
AMD K6 processor 200X2 mHz - 192 Mb RAM - 4.0Gb HDD - 4X CD ROM
If I couldn't use it as a firewall, this computer would only be useful as a boat anchor.
In addition to serving as a firewall, the SmoothWall software includes Clam Antivirus. Installation (text only, no mouse) was almost entirely automagic, and once installed, there's no more need for monitor or keyboard. Interface with the SmoothWall box is done through the internet browser of one of the computers in its protected (green) zone. The potentially dangerous WWW is on the red zone. With a 3rd NIC you can also set up a computer to serve up web content on the orange zone, and I didn't even start to find out about the purple zone. There is more functionality in SmoothWall that I have need. I believe that it is configurable to serve a far more complex network than I have.
After installation, SmoothWall is totally transparent. I check and install updates twice monthly, but with that as the only exception, I never need to touch it ... and isn't that the way software is supposed to work?
How safe and secure do I feel? About 96% covered. Do I relax? No. Would I give up my SmoothWall box? Not on your life!
-- I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather. I don't want to die screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.