Cosider IPCop www.ipcop.org as an option. It is a firewall specific hardened distro with many many features and requires a minimum of hardware. Plus the mailing list is extremelly open and helpful to users of any level.
M -----Original Message----- From: Keith T. Morgan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 05 April 2002 20:13 To: David Hayes; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Linux box as firewall comments in-line: > -----Original Message----- > From: David Hayes [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] <snip> > hopefully somebody can answer > 1. Whats the best distribution to use, I have had quite a bit > of experience This is the best question you could ever ask the linux community if your intention is to start a flame-war :) However, I'll provide you with my personal preference, which thousands of people will likely dispute with perfectly valid arguments. My favorite linux distribution (particularly for moderate to advanced linux admins) is Debian Linux. There is ONE reason for this preference. Debian's package management system (dselect, apt etc...), though a little cryptic at first, is hands-down the best package management system available in a linux distribution. It's a little tough to get a handle on at first, but once you do, you'll be hooked for good. > with Linux but not for the last 4/5 years so I'm a bit out of touch. > 2. I'll need a network card for the box, any reccomendations for a > cheap(ish) card that will be easy to configure under linux The linux kernel natively supports most popular ethernet cards. A cheap one what should work well for your purposes is the Netgear card (using the national semiconductor driver aka: natsemi.o). If it's a firewall, you'll likely need two of them. > 3. Until I get broadband I'll probably set it up so the Linux > box dials my > normal ISP, I've only got a cheap winmodem any > reccomendations for a good > modem to use with Linux Winmodems are a royal PITA with linux. Get a good hardware-configurable modem. You'll want to be able to set IRQ, and IO addresses. External modems over a serial-port work very well too. > Thanks for all your help > David Hayes > > -- > GMX - Die Kommunikationsplattform im Internet. > http://www.gmx.net > >
