I use a linux box as a router and file server for my home lan.  Twice in
the last two years a hard drive has failed.  Also once the little CPU fan
died taking the processor with it.  My guess would be that the $60 router
might be more reliable since it's new and the old box is old.

Then again I could be wrong.

--
In 08 vote for a crook you can trust.
Del Boy for President.
http://www.ofah.net

On Wed, 16 Feb 2005, Craig Brooksby wrote:

> Hi all -- seeking advice / pointers to where I can read up... my two
> questions are numbered, below.
>
> My home network is through a D-Link wireless router, to the Cox cable
> modem.  It works fine -- I am not an expert.  For security, I did
> stuff like the following:
>
> 1) Turned WEP on, at 128-bit
> 2) Turned on filtering by Mac address
> 3) Added WPA-PSK authentication.
>
> The router seems to be able to do more -- firewall stuff, etc.  At the
> same time, I know people use old boxes + Linux to do all these things.
>  So here's what I'm wondering:
>
> 1) Are there clear reasons why running an old box + Linux as a router
> / firewall / etc.  is *better* than just using the features in the
> little $60 router?  (I mean, the *fan noise alone* from this old box
> is enough to tilt the scales for me  :-)
>
> 2) Do people plug in Wi-Fi adapters into the old box and use it to
> control a wireless network?  Or is all that better left to the D-Link?
>  I ask because my son's Win XP box is currently wireless.
>
> I want to learn more about networks.  I am resourceful and like new
> challenges, but if such things are better left to people with long,
> deep experience / formal training -- network "engineers" and people
> who relax by readin manpages -- please advise.
>
> Thanks -- Craig
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