Firmware or Software Firewall?

[TinFoil]

Yes, the age old question; Firmware (the routers) or Software (the progs)?

Alas, I am confused.

For just small home use, I need to ask your opinion. I have 2 computers (one's emachines, one's my own piece o' work ) and I have a dilemma/problem/issue/can of worms. I used to only have one hooked up to the net (emachines), and one isolated from the rest of the world (piece o' work).

Now, I want to connect both to the internet.

Should I

A. Go with a router (simple, but expen$ive)
B. Hook up cable modem to one, then route internet to the other and just software firewall both
C. Use one of the old (as in 7-year old) computers that I have for an "invisible" Linux (no bias, linux users) firewall and route my connection from there
D-Z. Other suggestions that you might have

Right now my money's on C, because, well, I feel attached to my computers and I never tried using linux. Any suggestions?

P.S: On C, I found a guide using OpenBSD, but I dunno -> OpenBSD-Based Firewall

[Stewsburntmonkey]

I would say A or C. Router are pretty cheap now (less than $30, some less than $20). This would be the simplest and most reliable way to do this.

Using a Linux/Unix box would work, but you would have to get a network card that supported multiple connections and would have to get Linux up and running as well as configure the routing and such.

[sweaty bob]

Use IPCOP.

This may help...

http://www.the-scream.co.uk/forums/t10400.html?

[The GoldFish]

--> B <--

I'd say anything else is overkill at the moment - if you plan on getting more PCs connected to your network then A, or C if you want to touch linux - you'd still need an army of NICs or a hub for that and it isn't financially beneficial versus A unless you want the added benefits of the linux machine.

etc

[TinFoil]

The problem is, my sis uses the internet a tad too much (DIE KAZZA DIE! DIE! DIE! ) ...and I want to use the remaining bandwith to play multiplayer because the emachines comp isn't top-o'-the-line.

Problem 2: Dad's crazy about security (although he doesn't know anything beyond antivirus and software firewall), and he wants an extremely secure "home network." He's biased towards C, since I told him it was INVISIBOWLLL!!1!11! and he gets rid of the old PC.

I want something that's "too dumb" to crack, like it only knows how to do 3 things: firewall, ports, and html/command line. It's almost like there's nothing to exploit.

Problem 3: Warranty. Again, leaning towards C. I only found up to a year or two of warranty, whereas if the Linux/Ip Cop/ box crashed/failed, I would only need to format the HDD again and install/configure.

[The GoldFish]

They're all INVISIBOWLLL!!1!11! if you do it right.

You're still going to need to buy hardware components to make any of the above work. A needs a router, B needs a NIC in both computers, C needs a NIC in every PC and a hub, or 2 (1 per other computer) NICs in the linux computer and no hub (B and C excluding the connection to your modem). If you're going to complain about warrenty, do the one with the least new hardware components.

Seriously, Zone Alarm's free firewall of horridness can make you 'invisible'. In fact, regardless of what you have, there's probably some way of getting around it, so you might as well accept that there's only a point in going so far, and imo spending your time with a linux box isn't worth it unless you actually want the extras.

Go do GRC's shields up tests and see how invisible you are now.

[edd8990]

I'd go with A. Its simple, effective and not that expensive.

Frankly, a router will solve your problems. It'll stop any script kiddies who may try to hack, I doubt very much that an experienced hacker would go after your computer.

Since I installed my router, the only unauthorised trafic my laptop's firewall picked up was when a mate hooked up on my network and tried to connect to me, without me letting him through.

[TinFoil]

It turns out that I already am

INVISIBOWLLL!!1!11!

All at stealth EXCEPT for the nonexistant port 0.
Hmm... That takes care of problem 2.

I still want to experience linux/command line, and I already have NICs on all 3 computers.

Hey, I have all the time in the world, 3 extra ~2 meter (or 6') ethernet cables, 2 more 6 meter cables, and 1 soldering stick thingy .

But still, my need to play Battlefield 2 is raging inside me.

[Stewsburntmonkey]

It would probably be more fun to figure out Linux when your internet connection is not hanging in the balance. I would just get a router and then you could hook all your computers up to the Net and install Linux on one of the old computers and play around with it at your leasure.

[elDiablo]

Software and firmware! \o/

I use both! \o/ Because I got them with my router and modem! \o/

[The GoldFish]

Ok. I still don't see how B is worse than A. He doesn't even need to buy anything for B, except mayby cables, which use crimps, not solder o_O

I know some people consider it inconvinient to have to have the PC with the internet connection on for any other computer to use it, but that wouldn't bother me, so unless it bothers someone in your family then I see no reason to go off and buy a router. Again unless you plan to expand your network, and even if you do you can make the purchase decision then instead of now.

Plus BF2 eats bandwidth, you'll probably have to totally kill Kazaa or whatever filesharing app your sister uses to play it any reasonable amount.

I'd always reccomend a software firewall and router - simply because the router can only protect you from Incomming connections, and won't stop you sending off stuff you don't want to.

[Miah]

The problem is, my sis uses the internet a tad too much (DIE KAZZA DIE! DIE! DIE! ) ...and I want to use the remaining bandwith to play multiplayer because the emachines comp isn't top-o'-the-line.

Do option A then. I have it where I can deny certain people (like my own sister) internet access if they're hogging the bandwidth. They get all pissy, but it's their own damn fault.

[TinFoil]

Alright, people. Problem Solved!

Due to my dad's belief that Linux is old and outdated

Linux is old (...no...). It uses DOS (DOS is Microsoft...), but now Windows (and Mac. Don't forget da Mac.) is easier and more recent!

We gots us a NETGEAR router. And a wireless card. He doesn't like wires.

The WGR[letters and numbers] v5 wireless internet router!
/router shines

Now my ~60 FPS computer is running BF2 online!

Now that that's overwith, how do I limit my sister's bandwith?

[LLamaBoy]

Now that that's overwith, how do I limit my sister's bandwith?

Stealth-install NetLimiter On her PC

[The GoldFish]

Am I invisible or something?

To actually limit bandwidth, you'll probably need to use an application on the computer - you can probably quite easily kill all access off to their computer from the router settings, though, if you ever wanted to.