Firewall PC?

[kev01]

Hi,

I have currently have 2PCs directly connected to a Netgear Firewall Broadband router (at home). It works now.

But, I would like to have a firewall PC to increase the security of my home network.

I was thinking of the below architecture:

Internet----Modem-----Firewall PC-----Router----LAN (2PCs)


Is this architecture ok?
Can my firewall PC also be my Server (e.g. W2K server)
Which firewall software would be efficient in this kind of environment?

Thanks in advance,
Kev

 

[Hondy]

Kev

You could do it that way, but you do say your router is a firewall. If you were going to put your PC server in front of your router/firewall you don't really want to use it as a file server out side of your router/firewall, although if you just mean using a W2K Server OS, then ok. You could use a firewall like Sygate Firewall Pro (

http://www.sygate.com)

for windows or a linux Smoothwall firewall but it would be a bit of a waste of a PC if you have a router/firewall (thats's IF it is a true firewall). You will be looking at a bit of a nightmare in terms of rules as well, to get a game to work you will have to troubleshoot 2 firewalls.

If you just want to use it as a logger, you can set Sygate up in this way, to allow all and just log, then the Netgear firewall will do all the denying etc or combinations.

 

[kev01]

Hi,

If I use a firewall PC which would also act as a server - can my router still dish out IP addresses? Won't there be any conflicts between my router and my server when it comes to dishin out IPs ad?

I heard of a software called Checkpoint 2000..can i use it as a firewall in a home environment?

thanks in advance,
kev

 

[Marcs41]

I don't thing you want to pay for Checkpoint at home, it costs a fortune!

Since you have a Router firewall, use it!

Internet--Modem--Router/Firewall--Server--HUB--LAN (2PCs)
Have the server distribute IP addresses (DHCP) and use it as you DNS server and Gateway.

Or:

Internet--Modem--Router/Firewall--LAN (2PCs+server)
In this case the router is the DHCP server and Default Gateway (with or without server).



Marc
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