Protection for a Home

[Undeadlord]

Hey guys,

In the next couple of days I am going to be setting up a home network. Cable modem for internet, some kind of server to distrbute the Internet and Mp3's and files that kind of thing. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to set this up. The box I have for the server is a PentiumII 450 with 128megs ram. I was thinking maybe Win2K, but I am open to suggestions. Not Linux right now though. I need to play with that more before I try and build a server out of it. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

So,
1. Which OS to use?
2. What programs for Internet firewalls should I use? and should that be a client thing or on the server.
3. ANy other ideas http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


Thanks in advance,

Undeadlord

[Kuasimodem]

If you're going to be setting up a home network, try the simplest way, which is to buy a gateway/router with a built in firewall.

I'm using a Dlink DI707 which is firewall/router/hub/switch all in one. If you don't need 7 ports, the DI704 or 804 are great, the setup is real easy, and the prices are pretty good too.

You can pick up the 704 for less than $100.

There are other brands out there, but you can't beat the setup ease of the Dlinks. All I had to do was connect all the cables, turn on the modem and router, and boot the computers up.

The advantage of a hardware firewall can be seen by going to the Gibson Reaserch (http://www.grc.com) website and running the security checks, mine comes in as every port in "stealth mode," which means pretty much total invisibility to port scanners.

The other advantage of having a router/firewall is that your ISP only sees one puter on the connection, not the 4 that I have connected right now.

Here's where I got mine - ComReady (http://www.comready.com) .

[Undeadlord]

I was thinking about that Kuasi, but I already have a 5 port switch and the system. So it seemed to be a waste to go buy a router when I already have parts to build the network the other way. I mean can't you have the server distrubute internet without paying for all the machines you connecty to it? I thought that was what DHCP was for??

Any more ideas would be great!!

Undeadlord

[elroy]

Set up a network with all the machines using a NIC in each machine connected through the switch. Then set up Internet Connection Sharing [Windows 98, 98SE or ME], you can also use a program called Sygate [sygate.com] if the ICS is not an option. For a firewall use Zone Alarm [zonelabs.com].

[korgul]

I myself use zonealarm it is a very good program and easy to configure. I have a network running at home and have it installed on all of the PC's on the network. If you use it for personal use it is free if you use it for a business there is a fee. i also use rideway to allow the other computers to connect to the internet. This is a free 30 day trial version. Let me know if you decide to use the rideway software. I will be able to help you out a bit with it.

Hope this helps
korgul

[RobRich]

The most simplistic way to configure Inet access is to utilize Window's ICS for DHCP operations. I recommend Win2k for the best network performance/response, but Win98/Me should prove more than adaquate for a home LAN.

As for the firewall, ZoneAlarm is perhaps the easiest to configure when using ICS. Protection is decent, and the cost is great (FREE!).

For my personal needs, I use WinRoute Pro for all DHCP, firewall, and proxy operations with my home LAN. However, for the cost of WinRoute Pro, you can obtain an entry-level hardware router/firewall. I choose WinRoute over hardware since I received my copy via a local, low-cost OEM software supplier. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[Undeadlord]

Ok here is the plan http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

1 system running Win2k and ICS and then using my switch to reach the other systems. Then having Zonealarm running on each system.
Thanks for all your help. If you have any other ideas I would be happy to hear them


Undeadlord