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Xref: sserve comp.dcom.lans.misc:4711 comp.dcom.servers:1927 comp.dcom.modems:82514 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:1355 comp.unix.pc-clone.32bit:8562 biz.comp.telebit.netblazer:287 Path: sserve!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yarrina.connect.com.au!classic.iinet.com.au!news.uoknor.edu!news.ecn.uoknor.edu!news.ysu.edu!news.byu.edu!nntp.et.byu.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!nntp.crl.com!decwrl!svc.portal.com!portal.com!combdyn!lhaven.UUmh.Ab.Ca!dreamer From: dreamer@lhaven.UUmh.Ab.Ca (Lawrence "The Dreamer" Chen) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans.misc,comp.dcom.servers,comp.dcom.modems,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc,comp.unix.pc-clone.32bit,biz.comp.telebit.netblazer Subject: Routers and Firewalls Message-ID: <S72Jw*wNz1@lhaven.UUmh.Ab.Ca> Date: Mon, 22 May 1995 17:01:26 GMT FollowUp-To: poster Organization: Lunatic Haven Information Systems X-Newsreader: Arn V1.03a Lines: 56 Please respond by Email, since my USENET connection is non-existent at best. Due to various problems with our current UUCP provider, our company is investigating the possibility of switching to a local Internet provider. (FYI, the UUCP provider is Portal Communications, and we have received zero USENET in several weeks and we are questioning if we are getting all of our mail....which is very important since we are trying to organize a conference for the end of June) Anyways, I'm now faced with some interesting requirements for connecting our office to the Internet. The first is the requirement of a Firewall. I don't know how strong of a policy management wants yet, but from past experience they want something for the least money and requires the least of my time to maintain...but offers the best protection in the world. I know that the requirements contradict themselves, but I suspect I'm not alone in the world. From the budget and my time point of view, I suspect a router with firewall features would fit the bill better than trying to build a dual-homed Firewall. Of course, eventually they are going to want anonymous FTP and a Web server. Suggestions on how to implement after the selection of the router/firewall would be appreciated. Currently our one main server is an Interactive 3.0 UNIX machine running on a 486DX/50. I'm contemplating converting another PC (currently running Windows) over to FreeBSD. Anyways, back to the router requirements. The router we want is to currently do dial-on demand to a V.34 modem to our Internet service provider. So, we want it to establish the connection when necessary, maintain the connection incase it drops, and drop the connection when it is nolonger necessary. The router also needs to support or be upgradable to connect to ISDN. Management asked the provider for ISDN, even though I told them they wouldn't like the price.....which of course they just found out the price and agreed with me. However, it may just be a matter of time for the company to prove that ISDN is the way to go anyways. Also, some provision for remote client/LAN access to our own LAN, would also be a requirement. Possibly the down road our branch office might want into us, and when management is away from the office, they'll probably want to use their laptops to connect in. So, is there an inexpensive router that combines all the features required? -- "Just a Crazy Engineer with an Amiga and an HP48sx" - The Dreamer Email: dreamer@lhaven.uumh.ab.ca or "Lawrence Chen" @ 1:134/3002 PHONE: +1 403 526 6019 FAX: +1 403 529 5102 CIS: 74200,2431 Praxis Society K12 BBS: +1 403 529 1610 Lunatic Haven: +1 403 526 6957 Packet: VE6LKC @ VE6PAQ.#SAB.AB.CAN.NA Coming Soon, Medicine Hat Community Network