Once upon a time, Mikael Abrahamsson <swm...@swm.pp.se> said: > Windows XP SP2 and later has the concept of different "zones" (or whatever > it's called) where it'll allow things from the local subnet but not from > outside of it, if you tell it so. I know people who configure their > network printers without default gw to handle their spotty security.
That still requires someone to configure a printer, while most just plug it in and let it DHCP. Also, I needed to update the firmware on a network printer once, and it had to have a gateway because it downloaded the firmware directly. Heck, I have filled up a 5 port switch in my entertainment center now with TiVo, Xbox, Blu-Ray, and TV (plus back-haul); all of those use the Internet and so should have the protection of a firewall at the gateway (and of course the Xbox requires UPnP for some games). The TiVo, Blu-Ray, and possibly TV run Linux, which may be somewhat safer, but Linux has had (and will have) bugs too. -- Chris Adams <cmad...@hiwaay.net> Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.