Firewall hardware

**webman** · 07-04-2006

I have ubuntu running on my system using dsl to switch on ethernet
I am trying to find out what I need to do to make a hardware firewall. Is 450Mhz fast enough? I am trying to do it without spending to much. The comp I am using is 1.73G . Am I going to loose much speed in the transfer? Okay what the question is, how do I tell it (firewall) to drop unwanted packets ie; attack and forward the needed ones to my base system? Also is there anything special I need to know in the networking part of it? Is this what is called a Linux box? I want a front end hardware firewall networked to my base system. I'm fairly new to Linux, and I love it,
Wish I found it 20 yrs ago

If someone could guide me to a page or better if you have done it great.

**psic** · 07-04-2006

I've never tried setting up a linux-based firewall, but yes, 450 mhz should be more than enough. I'd suggest you take a look at IPCop, which seems like the most popular distribution for this task:

http://ipcop.org/

I don't think you will lose any speed at all. Oh, and linux didn't exist 20 years ago

**fingal** · 07-05-2006

You might also consider Smoothwall which has a good reputation. You should be able to configure most of the options you want via its frontend.

Find it here.

And yes - You can use a low spec machine to do this.

**webman** · 07-06-2006

I think I am going to go with the ipcop. checked out the sight and its just what I was looking for. Thanks again. Worth the read for anyone that hasnt been to the sight

**gtmtnbiker98** · 07-14-2006

The installation of both IPCop and Smoothwall are identical - perhaps, similar projects?

**gtmtnbiker98** · 07-17-2006

Forgot to mention that ipcop offers support for IP aliasing on the Red interface whereas with Smoothwall, you have to install a mod that adds to the installation routine. IPCop gets my vote for a firewall appliance.

**webman** · 07-17-2006

Originally Posted by gtmtnbiker98

Forgot to mention that ipcop offers support for IP aliasing on the Red interface IPCop gets my vote for a firewall appliance.

Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to go with Ipcop. Looked at both of them,
Ipcop also goes more with gnu . Thats why they split off of Smoothwall if I understand correctly.

**ultra83** · 07-25-2006

When i read the topic "Firewall Hardware" I thought it would be about Firewall Hardware i.e Cisco etc. Not Firewall Software which you guys are talking about

Thread Tools

Display

Firewall hardware

Thank you

Posting Permissions