Firewall Recommendation

[da644]

Hi Everyone.

We are small company with a small office network and a server running Windows 2000 with an ADSL connection to the Internet and using ICS so the other computers can access the Internet as well. Can anyone recommend a software firewall that we could install to give some level of protection to the network. The product need to be, easy to configure, cheap (free if possible) and not cause problems when installed (had problems with ZoneAlarm).

Thanks.

Best Regards

Andrew.

 

[Mellors]

If you have an old machine sitting around then I recomend a free product called smothwall. This is a linux which has been striped right down, secured and given a set of good tools for configuring firewalls. it can be found at

http://www.smoothwall.org.

Best way to install is to burn the files to cd once downloaded.
The spec of the hardware rquired is very low.

An alternative but far more pricy solution is a piece of hardware called sonicwall.

 

[da644]

Unfortunately not... and spending some money on even a basic machine seem and expense option... any other ideas?

Best Regards

Andrew.

 

[TrisRuss]

Hi Friend.

I agree with other chap about Smoothy - very cool and easy to setup (I use it at home with an old 486 with 2 NIC's in it!)

I have used the DLink DSL 804 for ADSL - a very neat ADSL modem/router/firewall all combined. Simply plug it in to the ADSL, and use the web-based admin to configure (Default as

http://192.168.0.1).

It has it's own DHCP server (which I normally diable - to keep existing one). Cost is around £100 incl VAT from

http://www.cclcomputers.co.uk

but I'm sure available elsewhere. Tip: When you get it, call DLink teck suppport and get them to email you the latest firmware for that version of hardware. Reason is it wipes all settings...so best to do it to begin with... Good Luck!

 

[Zelandakh]

Andrew, get a 4 port Linksys router. Effective mini hub, works straight into DSL and has a simple to configure, effective "firewall" - not a real one, but an effective NAT box.

 

[K1W169]

Agree with zelan about the Linksys router depending on how much is too much for you but you can get one for about 55 bucks. Also I would suggest maybe trying a older version of za if you had issues with there newer one. I myself use the linksys router and za. By the way isn't the ICS kinda slow? If you get the linksys router you wouldn't need it.

 

[da644]

Hi Everyone.

Thanks for all the advice... managed to get an old P166 from a friend for nothing and I've installed SmoothWall. Very good, however, is there any additional configuration required or is it good straight 'out the box' as they say?

Best Regards

Andrew.