Firewalls

[snoogans]

I want to keep people out, but not lose some connectivity

We're on a small LAN (Myself and roomies) using NAT and everything works...ICQ, Games, FTP, etc...

So will putting a firewall in place limit what we can do on the web?

We're thinking of getting the Barricade from SMC so that's what brought this all on. Yes, I know there are free software solutions but I need the IRQ my 2nd NIC has so I need a hardware solution.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[evolotion]

Most firewalls allow you to specify different rules for each adapter, In my case I have very strict rules for the dial up adapter and I allow practically everything through my nic.

I dont understand from your post why you need hardware, please explain!

You can modify/create/delete the rules for your firewall so you could allow or block whatever you want. At the very least download a few firewalls such as blackice, zonealarm or conceal and TRY them..At the very least you will get an idea of what a firewall does and how it operates.

Good luck!

 

[snoogans]

Currently, I'm the NAT server so I have 2 NIC's (One for the LAN and the other for the external line).

If I had a hardware solution for internet sharing/firewall then I could free up a PCI slot and IRQ for something else.

 

[BCYL]

If that is what you want, you would need a router, not just a hardware firewall...

 

[snoogans]

that's what the Barricade is

 

[cavingjan]

The barricade is a router. It only provides a firewall through NAT which is great security in and of itself but it is not a firewall. If you feel you want a hardware firewall system look into the Sonic series. But expect to spend money.
An even easier approach would be to just make one of the other roomies the gateway.

 

[Wik]

The SMC should work fine. Or enven the Netgear or Linksys. on port forwarding but I do not know The SMC sounds pretty nice as you can connect a printer to it and use it as your print server also. I use a Netgear RT311 and love it. I also use Zone Alarm on my systems for added security. But the routers assign your systems private IP's so really, you are pretty secure.

 

[SilverBack]

Hey Wik,
I have the Linksys BEFSR-41, it works very well except for TRIBES, DUH....
Have you ever tried Tribes on your NetGear? I would really like to know. If it does I'm throwing this thing out the Window.

 

[Wik]

Hmm, I never tried tribes. I have that game on a warez disk somewhere and if I can find it I'll give it a try. How does tribes connect to interenet games? Does it use internall software or do you go through some of those gaming sevices?

 

[SilverBack]

Dynamix has thier own servers, so Tribes is all you need.
I would really like to know if you can.
TIA

 

[Wik]

I will try and find my Tribes and give it a shot. I have never played that game before but I will look for it and give it a try. I have lots of time on my hands for the next few months because I wrecked my motorcycle and won't be returning to work untill my bones heal. I look at this as a challenge to find the game and get it working. Any idea if a Warez version will play online or do they use some kind of key like Half-Life and Quake 3?

 

[snoogans]

Yea, we thought the print server option was pretty slick.

cavingjan, hadn't even thought to do that (move the G8way to another computer, DOH) But the SMC isn't expensive so I think we'll go for it

Thanks for the help guys