Notebook as a router/firewall - SUCCESS

[Craig White]

Quoting Jason <jkenner@mindspring.com>:

> Bob George wrote:
> > 
> > "George Toft" <george@georgetoft.com> wrote:
> > > [...]
> > > Since you may not recall my previous statements, let me recap: I
> pointed
> > > out that laptops were not well suited as routers because of the
> heat
> > > buildup from running the hard drive continuously.  This was based on
> my
> > > experience replacing the hard drive in my laptop two times.
> > 
> > I've considered doing a laptop/notebook firewall/gateway using a
> > floppy-based or CD-ROM based distribution. The form-factor is perfect,
> and
> > not having a hard drive should really keep it cool. That's a
> consideration,
> > especially during the hot months. I don't mind burning out a drive,
> but
> > having my office run 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the house is a
> bit
> > of a drag.
> 
> If its simply a need to use a router, why not create a system with a
> large amount of ram, and miminal software (i.e. full router suite
> only). Then keep everything in RAMdisk.
> 
> The paranoid will point out the need for firewall logs on HD, but,
> really: if an attacker can erase the RAMdisk, the attacker can also
> erase the HD.  The only thing logs on HD will genuinely show advantage
> in is a power failure or power supply failure... both of which are
> entirely more likely on a system with an HD anyways (a ramdisk-based
> system that spins down its HD after bootup will last far longer on UPS
> power than one with an active HD. Also, same HD puts more strain (and
> hence, heat) on power supplies)
> 
> Or do it "right" and log to one of those cartridges that plugs into
> the IDE "slot" (formerly cable connector) on most motherboards...
> 
> -- 
Wouldn't it be easier to log to the syslog on a different computer on the LAN?

Craig

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