Set up a Router using an old computer

[skierjs]

I'm currently running ADSL and sharing my connection with my roommate and wirelessly sharing with the guys living upstairs(In a 4-plex). I'm thinking of switching to service from my cable company for better speed and cheaper phone service. The only problem is the cable service is capped. Since everyone on the network does varying amounts of file sharing i'd like to do my best to avoid hitting the cap, which means traffic shaping.

Currently i'm using the Dlink DGL-4300 which has some nice QoS features, but no bandwidth control. The features i'd like to impliment:
- Packet Prioritization
- Internet Bandwidth Throttling (Don't want to throttle LAN-side Bandwidth)
- Bandwidth Monitoring (Monitor total upstream and downstream bandwidth per month)
- DHCP server
- Basic routing tasks

Currently the Dlink can handle everything but the bandwidth throttling and monitoring. But it seems to get bogged down at times doing packet prioritization with a lot of file sharing net traffic(the Active Sessions page of the router exceeds 20p in length, almost entirely on non-essential ports). So i'd like to set up a computer to do as much as possible and leave the dlink as a gigabit switch/AP. I have an old PIII-500mhz laying around i would like to use, but if neccessary could get ahold of a 1.2Ghz Athlon system. I would prefer to use Windows XP, NT, 2000, or Server 2003, since my linux experience is nearly non-existant. Has anyone done this before and can recommend some software? Any comments/suggestions?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: skierjs
I'm currently running ADSL and sharing my connection with my roommate and wirelessly sharing with the guys living upstairs(In a 4-plex). I'm thinking of switching to service from my cable company for better speed and cheaper phone service. The only problem is the cable service is capped. Since everyone on the network does varying amounts of file sharing i'd like to do my best to avoid hitting the cap, which means traffic shaping.

Currently i'm using the Dlink DGL-4300 which has some nice QoS features, but no bandwidth control. The features i'd like to impliment:
- Packet Prioritization
- Internet Bandwidth Throttling (Don't want to throttle LAN-side Bandwidth)
- Bandwidth Monitoring (Monitor total upstream and downstream bandwidth per month)
- DHCP server
- Basic routing tasks

Currently the Dlink can handle everything but the bandwidth throttling and monitoring. But it seems to get bogged down at times doing packet prioritization with a lot of file sharing net traffic(the Active Sessions page of the router exceeds 20p in length, almost entirely on non-essential ports). So i'd like to set up a computer to do as much as possible and leave the dlink as a gigabit switch/AP. I have an old PIII-500mhz laying around i would like to use, but if neccessary could get ahold of a 1.2Ghz Athlon system. I would prefer to use Windows XP, NT, 2000, or Server 2003, since my linux experience is nearly non-existant. Has anyone done this before and can recommend some software? Any comments/suggestions?

Windows routing/qos is craptastic compared to things like Astero (sic?), Smoothwall, Monowall, etc, and is MUCH harder to set up. Not to mention, adding $120 license to a pc to function as a router, and run a GUI when you could care less (sucking up resources) is dumb.

 

[skierjs]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: skierjs
I'm currently running ADSL and sharing my connection with my roommate and wirelessly sharing with the guys living upstairs(In a 4-plex). I'm thinking of switching to service from my cable company for better speed and cheaper phone service. The only problem is the cable service is capped. Since everyone on the network does varying amounts of file sharing i'd like to do my best to avoid hitting the cap, which means traffic shaping.

Currently i'm using the Dlink DGL-4300 which has some nice QoS features, but no bandwidth control. The features i'd like to impliment:
- Packet Prioritization
- Internet Bandwidth Throttling (Don't want to throttle LAN-side Bandwidth)
- Bandwidth Monitoring (Monitor total upstream and downstream bandwidth per month)
- DHCP server
- Basic routing tasks

Currently the Dlink can handle everything but the bandwidth throttling and monitoring. But it seems to get bogged down at times doing packet prioritization with a lot of file sharing net traffic(the Active Sessions page of the router exceeds 20p in length, almost entirely on non-essential ports). So i'd like to set up a computer to do as much as possible and leave the dlink as a gigabit switch/AP. I have an old PIII-500mhz laying around i would like to use, but if neccessary could get ahold of a 1.2Ghz Athlon system. I would prefer to use Windows XP, NT, 2000, or Server 2003, since my linux experience is nearly non-existant. Has anyone done this before and can recommend some software? Any comments/suggestions?

Windows routing/qos is craptastic compared to things like Astero (sic?), Smoothwall, Monowall, etc, and is MUCH harder to set up. Not to mention, adding $120 license to a pc to function as a router, and run a GUI when you could care less (sucking up resources) is dumb.

I was kinda hoping there would be a decent routing/QoS programs for windows that would do what i needed. I'm assuming the $120 license you mention is for windows routing software and not for the OS since i can get any of the above mentioned OSes free through MSDNAA.

I looked at m0n0wall and it seemed useful and easy to use, but the trafic shaping did not seem to be nearly as robust as i was hoping for. I'll have to take a look at the other two piecies of software you mention, Astero and Smoothwall.