Linux Router ...

[David Bandel]

On 2/23/06, Ben Duncan <bns at meta3.net> wrote:
> Anyone got any experience setting up a PC with Linux and using
> it as a router?
>
> Pos's  or Con's ? cost benfits versus something like a Crisco 26xx/28xx
> series ?
>
> Thx's ...

I retired my last Cisco 2 months ago.  Now all I use as
routers/firewalls are either Linux or one of the BSDs (Free|Open|Net).
 I also use _very_ economical systems based on the PC Engines WRAP
boards.  One board that goes for $150 (plus about $20 for a case) has
3 ethernet ports and a miniPCI slot (you can add an Atheros a/b/g card
for a wireless access point).  Storage is a CF disk (I buy either 256M
or 512M).  Then either roll your own or purchase something like StarOS
(based on Linux).  There's also Smoothwall (based on Slackware Linux)
or Monowall (based on FreeBSD) which are free (as in beer).

These give you iptables (or the BSD equivalent, which also does
bandwidth limiting), etc., tcpdump, ssh into the system, and a myriad
other things.  The StarOS/Smoothwall/Monowall also provide web
interfaces for idiot customers so they can hose the box themselves
;-).

As I said, Ben, this stuff is what I do every day (and I sell the
firewall boxes at approx a 100% markup: $750 here in Panama).

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
--
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto