make you computer into a hardware router?

[capybara]

cant i make my computer do what a linksys router can do?
1. NAT
2. all ports turned off by default.
enable those ports you want.
3. plug in one ethernet card (3com 3c905) for the internet.
other cards for each client computer.
4. windows server 2000 required (not just win 2k or xp pro)?
5. is this identical function + security to a router/ harware firewall ?

 

[CTho9305]

Yes. They use a modified linux though. They're actually believed to be in violation of the GPL, but it's linux.

 

[Shalmanese]

Well, then technically wouldn't it still be a software router rather than a hardware one?

 

[pyrojunkie]

A "hardware" router truely uses software to get the job done. The reason they are called "hardware" is because they are one task boxes that do nothing else but routing duties (some do firewall also). People refer to "software" routers as thus because they run on machines that do more than just the routing duties. There would be no difference in "software" and "hardware" routers in what they can do. A self-built router could even possibly do much more than a Linksys router.

Though a Linksys router and self-built router can do the same job, these dedicated single task router usually have an advantage in size, power, stability and sometimes appearance.

 

[beyoku]

you can buy certain pci cards 32 and 64 bit that run linux and do it.

 

[rjain]

"certain PCI cards" like ethernet cards...

 

[Fencer128]

Hi,

You might want to look at smoothwall and IPCop.

These are linux distros designed for firewall/routing.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[jhu]

speaking of routers, i just got this actiontec dual pc modem that i'm using to host my website on. i'd like to turn it into a router someday but i can't seem to get the cross compiler working

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: Fencer128
Hi,

You might want to look at smoothwall and IPCop.

These are linux distros designed for firewall/routing.

Good luck,

Andy

Good call on Smoothwall Andy. I am currently using it both at home and in the office. Very good firewall/router for the money and easy to work with.

 

[Evadman]

I also use smoothwall.

 

[clouser]

You can use software based NAT programs such as Sygate (www.sygate.com) to do exactly this. They used to have a shareware version good for 10 ip addresses. You don't need any additional nics. Just have all your computers plugged into a hub or switch, and have one of the PC's running Sygate. It will handle all routing. I used it for a client before to share his business DSL line. They had purchased a very high end switch and di not want to buy more hardware. Of course, you could go the 2 NIC route if you didn't want to use a hub or switch, but they are nearly FAR at thispoint.