I had noticed that people seemed to be encouraged to use their
commercial version, rather than the free one.  I used OpenBSD for a
while, because Smoothwall (free version) didn't support two features I
wanted: multiple IP addresses on the "red" interface, and packet
shaping/traffic prioritization.  I see in IPCop's FAQ that they
support multiple IP address on the "red" interface, but I can't find
any mention packet shaping or traffic prioritization.

Now that I think about it, a minor annoyance with Smoothwall is that
lack of automated updates.  Does IPCop update itself automatically?

I have since switched from DSL to Cox, and my two issues with
Smoothwall were mute, at that point, so I switched from OpenBSD to
Smoothwall.  However, I am considering switching back to DSL, so I may
be interested in IPCop for use in place of Smoothwall...
-Erik

On 6/21/05, Alan Dayley <alandd@consultpros.com> wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
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> 
> KevinO wrote:
> > Erik Bixby wrote:
> >
> >>>Smoothwall (http://www.smoothwall.org/) is another purpose built Linux
> >>>distro that does a great job of firewalling.  I can recommend it from
> >>>personal experience.
> >>>-Erik
> >>>
> >
> > IPCop is/was based on the GPL version of SmoothWall.
> 
> This is true.  IPCop is a good example of a successful forking of a
> GPL project.
> 
> SmoothWall is a good firewall and I used it for years.  At one point
> they started adding "banner ads" in the admin screens to either
> donate to the project or purchase the commercial version or
> commercial services from the company.  They then began withholding
> support or even berating GPL users that had not donated.  (I was the
> target of one such attack once.)
> 
> Needless to say, some Smoothwall users did not like this.  They
> forked the project to IPCop.  The two groups then battled verbally
> for a while as Smoothwall accused IPCop of not acknowledging the
> source of their code and that using the Smoothwall interface with
> just the graphics changed was wrong somehow.  This was a few years ago.
> 
> IPCop is now on version 1.4.x and as of 1.3.0 it was completely
> recreated based on Linux From Scratch, leaving behind the
> contentious Smoothwall roots.  Now both projects exist, if not in
> harmony, at least in peace.
> 
> Personally, I like IPCop better because of the better attitude in
> the community.  I am told that Smoothwall is more friendly now but
> the remembered bad taste keeps me away.  IPCop with the addons from
> the community is an excellent firewall distro.
> 
> Alan
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