Re: I just scanned months worth of posts, but still wonder about this basic question...

From: CrAsH DuMmY (crash.dummy@firemail.de)
Date: 08/01/02 

From: crash.dummy@firemail.de (CrAsH DuMmY)
Date: 1 Aug 2002 11:58:59 -0700

> I'd strongly recommend a hardware device such as a Netgear RP114. One
> advantage that you get from this solution is the ability to access the
> Internet from each computer, whether or not any other is up and running.
> Mine has useful reports and can easily fine tune which computer can access
> what on the Internet, and when.

I personally use Kerio Personal Firewall (it's free) which use the
same engine as their Winroute Pro product minus some features like VPN
support. I tired many other firewalls (software only) but Kerio's one
suits best my needs and keep things simple to manage with no fluffy
interface. Usually software firewalls reduce more your bandwith than
hardware firewalls but Kerio's firewall only reduce your bandwith by
around 1% while many others will slow you down by 5 to 8%.

Also you don't necessary need to use a hardware router to access the
internet from both computer. If you have an external ADSL modem and a
10 mbit network hub (cheaper than a router you can almost get one for
nothing since they're all 100 mbit now and you won't see any
difference over the internet connection) you cat just plus the modem
in the uplink port of your hub and now you can connect from any of
your computers. And if your ISP allow you to obtain multiple dynamic
ip addresses you can have concurrent connections with all your
computers over the same modem (all your computer having different ip
addresses which can be usefull sometimes).

Some people may say that a hub is slower because of network collisions
but for a home network this is not an issue and you won't see any
differences at all.

So you can get the same protection and speed than a router over an
internet connection but for a fraction of the price (Kerio personal
firewall free + 5 ports 10 mbit EtherLan minihub 15$). I know you said
that price was not an issue for you but hey if you can save here you
can put more elsewhere.

CrAsH DuMmY

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