[H-GEN] best software router

[David Gwynne]

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> Mainly because it was the first one I cam across and it worked, but I
don't
> know how secure it is for an always on adsl internet connection as I am
> running web servers etc for testing on the same network (on different
> computers).

if those web servers are on a private address space you shouldnt have to
worry about remote hosts getting to them unless your gateway/nat box is
compromised (you're running services on the freesco box that are vulnerable
and open to the public) or misconfigured (you dont block requests for
private ips coming in; this is less of an issue since most isps block those
themselves).

> Any recommendations for firewall and internet sharing on a minimal spec
pc?

most, if not all, the major free unixes should all be able to do it. it
comes down to what you're comfortable and confident with i guess.

personally i recommend openbsd (www.openbsd.org). i used to use it on a
486-dx2 at 66MHz with 32mb of ram for sharing dialup. i do remember i used
to get better ping times cos its ppp implementation was better than the one
in windows. im using a p200 at the moment sharing an adsl connection. when
its only pushing packets it is mostly idle. i will warn you that if your
connection uses pppoe you can experience latency if you do a lot of really
small packets really fast since the pppoe implementation is done in
userland. however, for "normal" traffic it works great.

> TIA
>
> Greg

David Gwynne


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