[KLUG Members] Re: Routers & Firewalls

[Adam Williams]

>I agree. You might try a Linux router before dropping the cash on
>something like those netgear/linksys routers. I own a linksys wireless
>router with the firewall on it, but I don't use it. I've been very happy
>with IPCop. I'm running it on a 16 MB P100 with a 1 GB drive. Does the job
>quite nicely. It's really easy to install and config.
>http://ipcop.sourceforge.net

I agree.  For routers there is a company called "Cisco", and everything
else is complete crap.  The important issue with devices that are
specifically routers is support. 12, 18, 24, 36 months from now is
Linksys (or who ever) going to be producing new firmware for their
current models, or their already discontinued models?  Best Buy, Office
Max, etc..., sells stuff till their out of stock - frequently products
which have been canceled even before you buy them.

>Of course, YMMV. I guess something is better than nothing, but I don't
>trust those the firewalls on those things either.

I have a D-Link 614, which has a switch, a DMZ port, wireless, and a WAN
port.  As a router it is pretty featureful.  But D-Link canned the
product, and the standards institute canned the wireless technology (the
22Mbps dual-channel 802.11b), *FOUR* days after I bought it.  She.esh. 
I'll stick with commodity hardware and open source solutions.