"Donn Shumway" <donn@linuxfan.com> wrote:

> Does anyone have any input to offer on this question?

Only that I had a SonicWALL device -- similar to the Linksys but much
earlier generation of product. It generally worked very well and did
everything it was supposed to do. In short: If you just want something
simple, they tend to work well. Make sure it'll do redirection if you want
to make the web server available to the outside! The SonicWALL did, though
it's more of a $500 unit. Watch out if you need VPN support though. Make
sure it's supported.

However, this IS a Linux list... I think that the only prudent approach
would be to convince whoever you need to that you *must have* proper tools
to do the sort of work you do, and immediately get that dual processor PIII
system you've been looking at immediately! Use THAT for your Oracle and
development work, and stick the P133 under the desk as a headless (unless
you opt for the 21" display) firewall. You'll also be able to run VMware on
the new box (go heavy on RAM), allowing you to run NT, *BSDen and other
things you absolutely MUST have to keep your skills sharp in today's highly
competitive marketplace.

Well, that's the approach I took anyhow! :)

A 100M switch will defintely make things snappier on the LAN.

- Bob