Re: cable modem access

["Ryan Russell" <Ryan.Russell () sybase com>]

> I have considered a linux server as a front end and firewall,
> however, it will be a learning experience to get it up an running.
> Is it the best option as a firewall?  Are there better options?
> I have a win95, a win98, and a NT4.0 workstation that I want
> to put behind a firewall.

Depends on what your criteria are for "best."  If you're favoring
low cost and possibly high security, Linux may be a good choice.

If you're favoring something easy (for people who aren't Linux or
networking experts) or commercially supported, you might
prefer a commercial package.

I would suspect that the folks who do commercial support of
Free software might view questions for help with setting
firewall/filtering rules as akin to asking how to use an
application.  I.e., that's not covered; take a class or read a book.
Call us with a simple-answer question or when something is broken.
FAQs do exist for a number of the Free packages, but they are
written to an audience with a certain level of expertise.

Lest I get flamed for bashing Free software, let me say
that I would pick the Linux/IP-chains/FWTK setup for home.
I'm just giving my view of reality ask to why someone
would pick something different.

                    Ryan