I need a router to host my website 3

[akalinowski]

we are steady at 5mps and i am interested in moving my hosting from rackspace.com to a colo a mile down the street. i can handle pretty much anything on the server/software side, but i dont know what the best solution for a router in this application is. i normally buy sonicwalls for offices and remote offices and soho's they are great, but i dont think they are made to be attached on a hosting solution like the one i'm trying to figure out.

any input would be appriciated and if its the wrong forum please direct me to the nearest correct forum

thanks.

akalinowski

MCSE 2000, A+, N+, LCP, CNE

 

[cyberspace]

I'm not too sure on what you are asking for.

If you intend to host the site internally using your existing connection, you just need to allow port 80 (and 443 if using any ssl) through your firewall to the webserver (if it's straight up web access - If you need telnet or ftp etc, open up those ports too). Even the most basic routers can handle this (some call it port forwarding, others call it virtual servers, even DMZ hosts)

While you may have 5mbps downstream, you may find that you have nothing like that upstream. What is your internet connection type? (eg, ADSL)

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[cyberspace]

Also, I forgot to add:

you will also need a static IP address and you will need to update the DNS records for your domain to point to it's new host. DNS can take 48 hours to fully propogate so if it's a critical website you may want to start the DNS change after hours.

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[burtsbees]

I would definitely get a Cisco ASA or a PIX 501.

Burt

 

[akalinowski]

i'm not running it internally, i'm going to colo it and i know what ports i need to run all the web apps i'm going to run. i just dont know what router will take a beating and keep on ticking as far as traffic load goes.


burtsbees i'll check out what you recomended. thank you

akalinowski

MCSE 2000, A+, N+, LCP, CNE

 

[cyberspace]

Sorry, i've no idea what colo means but if you expect high load then that will determine what sort of router you want.

Bare in mind that ASA/PIX are firewalls not routers

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[burtsbees]

The PIX and ASA's route statically, and akalinowski seems to have no need for a LAN---just a DMZ. The PIX or ASA is perfect for this, especially if he wants to make it a dirty DMZ and not NAT. It can include a local LAN, if he so chooses...

Burt

 

[akalinowski]

colo = co-location... in other words, i have my server in a cage in an data center with huge fiber pipes for high traffic.

akalinowski

MCSE 2000, A+, N+, LCP, CNE

 

[burtsbees]

I like the way those data centers build the pillars and even racks with the rubber bushings to withstand earthquakes...

Burt

 

[maczen]

I agree with Burt.. If you are putting a web server behind it you will definitely want a Security Appliance..

Cisco ASA
Cisco PIX Firewall
Juniper Netscreen
Watchguard Firebox etc..

Features vary..

By the way Cyber.. PIX is classified as a Firewall but ASA is labeled a security appliance.. It does a lot more.. That is why the Cisco Firewall Specialist Certification was announced as EOL (End of Life) and the new certs push the ASA (as more than just a Firewall).. Even have ASA in the title..

B Haines
CCNA R&S, ETA FOI

 

[akalinowski]

i like the sonicwall and i have an nsa 3500 at my corporate office and the tz 190's at the remote locations... i dont mind using one as my web firewall/router but would it handle large traffic loads? sales guys say the e class will but i guess i'm back down to the question of how can i figure it out? i normally just wing it especially since we are a small shop and i dont get approved to hire consultants normally... but the website is major cashflow for us and if its down its my ass regardless if i requested a consultant for help or not.



akalinowski

MCSE 2000, A+, N+, LCP, CNE

 

[maczen]

aka,
I am honestly not sure how to test other than to talk to the sales guys and provide them with specific numbers.. ie. web traffic (bandwidth)..

The ASA 5505 and the Firebox x55e series both boast 10,000 concurrent connections...

I guess it really depends on what you are looking to spend as well.. You can get an x6500e for around $8,000 US. That handles 750,000 concurrent sessions.

I would email the vendor sales departments with specifics.

B Haines
CCNA R&S, ETA FOI

 

[dearingkr]

Burtsbees is right.

Go with the ASA.
The 5500's are suprisingly affordable (for Cisco) and rock solid.

If uptime is really critical, you may want to consider redundant ASA's.


MCSE CCNA CCDA