X
xane
Guest
Just a quick (re-)plug for a software router/firewall setup I have been using for the last couple of years, it's called IPcop and it was developed from Smoothwall when they decided to go corporate. Basically this is a Linux distro concentrating on a router/firewall setup, with a small footprint and reduced functionality to prevent hacking, and totally within the GPL licence.
Last night I was forced to upgrade to the latest version 1.3.0, after running the "beta" 0.1.1 for a long time I felt it was something that needed to be done anyway.
Disappointingly, the minimum footprint has gone from around 20MB to 125MB + 2x RAM size. Consequently the trusty old 120MB Seagate HDD I had dug out was no longer doing the job, and I had to revert to an equally older 425MB Seagate and still remove a stick of RAM to get it to fit.
The new version is visually little different on the web interface, but there is a marked improvement in speed, both on bootup (which doesn't happen often, my version 0.1.1 had been running for 90 days) and on connection.
Some nice features include built in NTP time synchronisation, I also loaded up a module that turned the machine into a time server itself so all the other machines on the network could sync with it. Version 1.3.0 is better suited for add-ons and a few websites provide some nice features and modifications.
I also took the opportunity to stick in a second LAN card and give myself room for an "orange" domain later on, i.e. one that is accessable from the internet ("red") but isolated from my own network ("green"), ideal for a web server or game server.
If you have old PC kit hanging around this is the best way to put it to good use, you only need a CD ROM to install and can easily get away with a low end CPU and small amount of RAM, although a decent LAN card is a must. If you are using the Alcatel "Frog" modem then a USB port is also required, the latest drivers are supplied with the build.
Last night I was forced to upgrade to the latest version 1.3.0, after running the "beta" 0.1.1 for a long time I felt it was something that needed to be done anyway.
Disappointingly, the minimum footprint has gone from around 20MB to 125MB + 2x RAM size. Consequently the trusty old 120MB Seagate HDD I had dug out was no longer doing the job, and I had to revert to an equally older 425MB Seagate and still remove a stick of RAM to get it to fit.
The new version is visually little different on the web interface, but there is a marked improvement in speed, both on bootup (which doesn't happen often, my version 0.1.1 had been running for 90 days) and on connection.
Some nice features include built in NTP time synchronisation, I also loaded up a module that turned the machine into a time server itself so all the other machines on the network could sync with it. Version 1.3.0 is better suited for add-ons and a few websites provide some nice features and modifications.
I also took the opportunity to stick in a second LAN card and give myself room for an "orange" domain later on, i.e. one that is accessable from the internet ("red") but isolated from my own network ("green"), ideal for a web server or game server.
If you have old PC kit hanging around this is the best way to put it to good use, you only need a CD ROM to install and can easily get away with a low end CPU and small amount of RAM, although a decent LAN card is a must. If you are using the Alcatel "Frog" modem then a USB port is also required, the latest drivers are supplied with the build.