[Gllug] KDE and Debian

[Bruce Richardson]

On 24/05/02, 11:33:39, "Jackson, Harry" <HJackson at colt-telecom.com> wrote 
regarding RE: [Gllug] KDE and Debian:

> I am meant to be getting ADSL soon so this should be quite quick.


> On a side note. I have to buy my own router. What are the advantages of
> Ethernet over USB. I want to be able to use my Linux box as a firewall
> connected to the router. Is it worth the extra £100.

The only reasons to get a router would be 

a) if you don't think you can get an ADSL modem to work with your Linux 
box, b) if you want all your machines to be able to connect to the 
internet independently (rather than using one as a gateway)
c) if you don't trust your abilities to set up an effective Linux 
firewall

The advantages of a router are

* Ethernet connection to the router.  So no drivers needed and no 
compatibility problems.
* Can do firewalling and NAT for you
* Turn off the router and you _know_ you are secure

The disadvantages of a router are

* It needs its own ip address, which is not an issue if you do NAT but 
does mean it takes up one address if you get a block for your internal 
machines
* Even the more expensive routers don't have the features of a Linux box 
acting as fw/router.  And the cheaper ones may not have hugely reliable 
firewalls.
* Port forwarding and NAT may not be as flexible or reliable as that 
performed by a Linux box.

IIRC you currently have a Debian box acting as a gateway for a dual boot 
win/rh box.  If you stick an ADSL modem in there you can keep exactly the 
same set-up.  I'd recommend doing it that way.

-- 

Bruce


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