custom rackmount or dell 1u

[SilentZero]

Well im looking to throw together a really cheap system in a 1u to at most a 3u case to run smoothwall so that I can just throw it on the rack for better organization. I have been pricing some cheap barebones 1u systems and then checked out what dell has to offer and my question is, would it be beneficial just to go with a $500 dell 1u on sale rather than piece together my own? I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Woodie]

Last time I priced rackmount cases...they were ridiculously expensive. I *think* it would be significantly cheaper to just buy a Dell on sale. Actually, for smoothie, why not try and find an OLD rackmount? IIRC, once I got above a PII-400 mhz, my smoothie performed just fine. Maybe you can find a (compaq) DL260 or 280 for cheap?

http://search.ebay.com/rackmount-server_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8

The VA Linux ones look nice for the price.

 

[Jon855]

What is this smoothie you guys are talking about? When I google it up, I get the DRINKS, SMOOTHIES.

 

[Woodie]

http://smoothwall.org/

freeware & pay version, linux purpose-built firewall. Suitable for building on a machine w/ low-level hardware, small HD, and makes a darn good firewall. Supports VPN, VPN pass-through, DMZ, wireless, IDS, etc...

 

[SilentZero]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have been resisting ebay since its launch (more or less paypal), but dang thats cheap. Might have to rethink my objections. Thanks.

 

[vi edit]

If you are spending $500, why not just go with a solid state dedicated firewall appliance?

At $500 you can a pretty powerful box, it will take up less space, and have less things in it that can break.

 

[n0cmonkey]

If this is for a company, go Dell. If not, whatever.

 

[SilentZero]

I was looking at a few of the watchguard appliances, but even the most basic runs in the mid 300 range. Also checked out a few from symantec, but they were much more than I want to spend for this particular solution. I guessed my cheapest out was just going smoothwall with a cheap rackmount. And its not for a company, its for my home, so I don't need a top-notch solution.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Soekris + OpenBSD