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Abstract
This
site is an introduction to simple hardware routers for small
networks built from old, obsolete hardware and free open
source software. The intended audience for this site are
Newbies to both Linux and to hardware routers and firewalls.
Included are instructions for hardware assembly and software
configuration. One page is a primer for network security
and discusses firewalls, anti-virus software and other security
related tools. The intent of this site is to encourage others
to build and install their own secure router for homes and
small businesses.
Cool
Dad! the Internet's on all the time
A
few years ago, I had cable broad-band Internet access installed
in our home. The cable modem was connected to my Windows
2000 Professional desktop system through a 10baseT (RJ-45)
Ethernet card.
This
computer was also connected to our second computer running
Win98SE, located in my Daughters room. This connection was
a 10base2 (RG-58 coax) network with 10base2 Ethernet cards
in each computer. The Win2k system was setup for Internet
sharing (ICS) and routed the 2nd computers IP traffic from
the network over to the cable modem.
Life
was good. High-speed broad-band access at home. No more
complaints about busy phone lines. Lightning fast downloads.
Dad!
the Internet's not working
Everything
worked fine until I got the urge to frag a few Bots in Unreal
Tornie or race a Porsche 911 in Need-for-Speed. Exit NT
and boot-up SE. I've had little luck running my dual CPU
SMP Win2k workstation as a gaming platform and who wants
to tie down a Win98 gaming system with IP routing duties.
Internet sharing also required my workstation to be turned
on for a good part of the day.
Get
a router
I
decided that a dedicated hardware router would be the best
option to free my computer from Internet sharing duties
and to secure the entire network around the clock. I checked
the local hardware vendors and was shocked at the price
of hardware routers at that time.
While searching the Web for router hardware, I stumbled
onto the Linux Router Project or LPR. A neat way to build
a router with old hardware and free software.
Years
later, the price of home network hardware routers has come
down considerably, but I'm still running the Linux Box because
of its versatility and features not found on home network
routers.
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