Hardware Based Firewall Suggestions?!

afropuff · Dec 4, 2004

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could give me some suggestions on a hardware-based firewall? I don't want to spend more than $30 or so. I use a cable modem currently.

Thanks for the suggestions!!

-fro

IceWindus · Dec 4, 2004

Your gonna have to spend a bit more then that to get a decent firewall.

That being said, the routers from NetGear, D-Link and Linksys would do a good job with their basic firewalls. I have a Wireless Linksys WRT54g with newest firewall firmware and it kicks ass.

KoolDrew · Dec 4, 2004

I have a D-Link that I got off my aunt for $10 and it works great.

draconius · Dec 4, 2004

mpeg4v3 · Dec 4, 2004

I highly recommend m0n0wall (http://m0n0.ch/wall), all it needs is a spare PC to run on. I currently have the cd&floppy based version running on a PC without a hard drive that acts as a firewall between my university network and my network- while still passing on dhcp so that I can still use school IP addresses.

afropuff · Dec 5, 2004

draconius said:
I can't make any recommendations for some brand firewall (linksys, dlink, pix, watchgaurd, etc) but I would like to recommend some of the things below, if you have a spare box sitting around and want to try out something different.

If you are looking for different full on firewall-distro ideas try:

Misc. Firewall Distributions-
http://www.astaro.com/
http://www.freeswan.org
http://www.strongsec.com/freeswan/
http://www.clarkconnect.org
http://www.smoothwall.org
http://m0n0.ch/wall/
http://www.coyotelinux.com/
http://www.freesco.org/
http://www.zelow.no/floppyfw/
http://edge.fireplug.net/
http://www.gnatbox.com
http://www.dubbele.com/index.html

FreeBSD stuff-
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=40 - IPF/IPNAT
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=41 - IPFW/NATD
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=66 - Redundant firewall/vpn solution
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=47 - Advanced IPFW with WF2Q
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=26 - IPfilter setup script
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=4 - Setting up IPFW (basic)
http://www.schlacter.net/public/FreeBSD-STABLE_and_IPFILTER.html - Freebsd stable firewall with IPFW

OpenBSD Stuff-
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=38 - Firewalling/setting up gateway

Linux Stuff-
http://www.unixforums.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=36 - Setting up firewall
http://ezunix.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=24&page=1 - Another firewall guide

mpeg4v3 said:
I highly recommend m0n0wall (http://m0n0.ch/wall), all it needs is a spare PC to run on. I currently have the cd&floppy based version running on a PC without a hard drive that acts as a firewall between my university network and my network- while still passing on dhcp so that I can still use school IP addresses.

Wow, those firewalls built off a spare machine sounds like a cool way to go. Unfortunately I do not have a spare PC in my apartment. What type of system are you running them on? Where is the best place to find a really cheap pc? I live by and attend a major University.

Thanks again!

-fro

Scheizekopf · Dec 5, 2004

If you have an extra box I'd recommend installing IP Cop.

If you dont and want to buy a router/firewall I recommend the Linksys BEFSX41. Try to get a used one somewhere if you dont have enough money for a new one.

draconius · Dec 5, 2004

I can mail you a pentium 100 that will work fine

I have run firewalls on T1's with a 486 for doing basic traffic filtering, all the way up to more of a dual 350 for a box thats doing vpn/ipsec stuff, along with traffic queuing (QoS) and alot of advanced filtering. so basically, I would look for something like a PII 233 with 128Mb of ram and a couple GB hdd, that should suit you well. If you are at school, you migh tlook for a box that runs really quiet so that you can leave it on all the time and not worry about it...and not get annoyed by the noise heh

afropuff · Dec 5, 2004

draconius said:
I can mail you a pentium 100 that will work fine

I have run firewalls on T1's with a 486 for doing basic traffic filtering, all the way up to more of a dual 350 for a box thats doing vpn/ipsec stuff, along with traffic queuing (QoS) and alot of advanced filtering. so basically, I would look for something like a PII 233 with 128Mb of ram and a couple GB hdd, that should suit you well. If you are at school, you migh tlook for a box that runs really quiet so that you can leave it on all the time and not worry about it...and not get annoyed by the noise heh

Cool, back where I live, we have an old system we don't use anymore, I could bring that back up w/me possibly..

and where would you suggest to find a cheap pc?

thanks for the help!

-Fro

draconius · Dec 5, 2004

ebay all the way

Hardware Based Firewall Suggestions?!

afropuff

Limp Gawd

IceWindus

n00b

KoolDrew

[H]ard|Gawd

draconius

2[H]4U

mpeg4v3

Gawd

afropuff

Limp Gawd

Scheizekopf

[H]ard|Gawd

draconius

2[H]4U

afropuff

Limp Gawd

draconius

2[H]4U