[SWLUG] Networking without Smoothwall

[Julian Hall]

Stephanos wrote:
> Dear All
>
> Currently, I have an NTL broadband modem which connects to a 
> Smoothwall box and then onto a switch.  From this switch comes three 
> nodes.  All work OK.
>
> I am thinking of removing the Smoothwall box, in order to experiement 
> with software firewalls, but I am not sure that the modem can be 
> connected to the switch direct.
>
> To save me the inconvenience of discovering that this cannot be done 
> after making lots of changes I would like to ask:
>
> Does this work or do I need a router (which is what I understand the 
> Smoothwall box to be) in between?
>
> Wait to hear
>
> Stephen
You need something with a WAN port for the modem connecting to the 
outside, and LAN ports on the inside of your network. A router would be 
best for that, although they pretty much all come with their own 
hardware firewall which would defeat the object of your experiment.

How are your internal IPs assigned at the moment?  If they're static you 
*might* get away with a switch, but if they're dynamic you need some 
sort of DHCP capability so you'd most likely need a router.

Having said that, it's past 0100 am so this could all be a load of 
cobblers :)

Kind regards,

Julian


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