It really is a matter of personal preference- if you already have other *nix systems, then maybe you will want to use a firewall distro. If not then perhaps you could use RedHat (a stripped-down version) with some hardening (bastille) and a good iptables script (MonMotha)....that way you could also have a *nix box with which you could learn on as well....
Craig Searle SIFT Pty Ltd www.sift.com.au P (02) 9236 7276 F (02) 9236 7271 M 0402 914 077 E [EMAIL PROTECTED] Level 67, MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 [ABN 42 094 359 743] This correspondence is for the named person's use only. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information or both. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this correspondence in error, please immediately delete it from your system and notify the sender. You must not disclose, copy or rely on any part of this correspondence if you are not the intended recipient. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the opinions of SIFT Pty Ltd. -----Original Message----- From: Justyn [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, 25 February 2003 04:55 PM 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!