Network hardware needed to secure my current network and add a server?

[davidd31415]

Hi:

I would like to set up a computer as a web server and run it on my home network. I know very little about Apache and there is a good chance this system will be hacked while I'm learning more.

How can I setup my home network such that this server will not present a threat to the other computers on my network?

I am expecting that it will require a bit more than adding a switch before my network?

Thanks,

David

 

[edfair]

How about describing what you have now.

Multiple IP addresses available or is this supposed to all work on one?

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[LawnBoy]

You'll want a firewall that will let you setup a "DMZ" for your webserver. So basically you end up with

internet
   |
   |
firewall -- DMZ with minimal interaction with LAN
   |
   |
  LAN

You can purchase a dedicated appliance with 3 network ports to accomplish this, or you can build one out of an old pc using the Smoothwall package. I have found Smoothwall to be very easy to use and very effective as a firewall.


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[davidd31415]

edfair:

One IP address, home cable modem.

The other hardware I am currently using is a Belkin home router (802.11g, p/n f5d7230-4).