On Sun, 2003-09-28 at 13:31, Harry Giles wrote: > Sorry for the dumb questions, but before I spend the money: > > 1.With a cable modem, can you just connect it to the network hub, or do you > need to use a router, as with adsl? > > > 2. Does Linux support the wireless 802.11g standard? > > > 3. Is Netgear and D-Link products Linux friendly? >
I use DSL. I had my cable modem connected directly to an ipchains ipforwarding firewall pc, with a physical NIC in and another on the internal subnet side. This worked well for a number of years until the box finally gave up the ghost (it was an old PI-233). Rather than build another, I decided to try an appliance solution. I bought and employed a D-Link router (RP-614). I was not happy with this solution - I found it to be cheaply built and flaky, especially the firmware. Basically, you get what you pay for. I have since bought a Linksys 8 port wired cable/dsl router and it is a world of difference from the D-Link product - a much better, more mature and stable product. YMMV. HUB: I have not found the need to connect a hub or switch to the router, although there is no reason why it couldn't be done. With the 8 port router, I just don't see any reason to complicate my subnet. In networking, as in most things, simpler is better. WIRELESS: I do a lot of work at home in the evenings. I'm not fanatical about it, but I do try to maintain a basic level of security. I don't yet trust the security in most wirless/WAP implementations... in some there is no more security than a CB radio. CISCO makes an excellent secure wireless router, but who can afford that for home use? It depends on which way you tip the scales - convenience or security. If you do go with a router instead of a firewall, you should consider adding a firewall somewhere, even if it's at the client level and uses the one that comes bundled with Suse and Redhat. Basic system hardening and shutting down unnecessary services on each box should, of course, be standard. -- burns _______________________________________________ Linux-users mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe/Suspend/Etc -> http://mail.linux-sxs.org/mailman/listinfo/linux-users
