[ale] OT: Consumer Internet Routers

[Keith R. Watson]

At 10:53 AM 3/9/2003 -0500, you wrote:


>I need to hook up my father's network to the internet via 56k dial-up.
>He does not have broadband.  Are there any routers that can be purchased
>from CompUSA or BestBuy that will route between ethernet and dial-up?
>
>Sure I can add a remote linux box, but he is 230 miles away and I want
>something simple for him to control.  By the time I pay the proce for a
>non-win modem and invest my time, I could have invested $150 in a
>consumer rated device.
>
>Thanks,
>Chris


Chris,

If I understand you correctly, your looking for a device like a Linksys 
Cable/DSL Router crossed with a modem. Assuming this is what you want, 
there are several devices that do this.

If you don't already have an external modem then I'd recommend a:

3Com OfficeConnect 56K LAN Modem 3C886A - I have used these for several 
years and they work great. The cheapest price I've seen is $186.00.

http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3C886A-US


If you already have an external modem check out the:

SMC7004ABR Barricade 4-Port 10/100Mbps Broadband Router - I have not used 
one of these but I know people who have, that liked them. The cheapest I've 
seen for one of these recently is $70.00. Occasionally they go on sale with 
a rebate so you can get one for under $40.00.

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?sec=Products&pg=Product-Details&prod=67&site=c


There are others but I don't remember the manufacturers off the top of my 
head. For reviews of virtually every make and model of device like this 
check out.

www.practicallynetworked.com


Another similar review site:

http://www.firewallguide.com/


You mentioned that you weren't looking to build your own but if you can't 
find what you want within your budget, here are some links that might be of 
interest:

http://www.ipcop.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/IPCop/WebHome
http://www.smoothwall.org/
www.astaro.com
http://www.clarkconnect.org/
http://www.sentryfirewall.com/
http://leaf.sourceforge.net/
http://www.linuxrouter.org/


Here's an article about building a CD Bootable Firewall:

http://www.bsdtoday.com/2002/March/Features646.html


keith
-------------

Keith R. Watson                        GTRI/ITD
Systems Support Specialist III         Georgia Tech Research Institute
keith.watson at gtri.gatech.edu           Atlanta, GA  30332-0816
404-894-0836

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