I use Smoothwall (www.smoothwall.org), a version of which is free for non-profit use and can be up and running from start of installation to running and configured in about 6 minutes(!). I recommend version GPL 1.0 which is currently stable and includes VPN, port forwarding, web proxy/cache, intrusion detection, DHCP, DMZ, works with ethernet or cable modems and is configurable through a web interface. Brilliant! And no, I don't work for the company ;-)
It's based on Linux kernel 2.2 (unstable version 2.0 is based on kernel 2.4) and VPN uses freeswan which is interoperable with many serious firewalls. Can't recommend it enough . . . HTH Mike -----Original Message----- From: Justyn [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 25 February 2003 05:55 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Suggestions Needed I'm a home user rather new to firewalls. I have a spare pc I want to use as a firewall machine for our local lan of 2 workstations w/cable modem. I'm wanting a linux/unix flavor os for the firewall system. Would I be better off using a stripped down os that is tailored for firewall machines or something like redhat/freebsd? Would would anyone suggestion as a starting place to learn. Thanks!