On Wednesday 16 February 2005 06:09 pm, Craig Brooksby wrote:
>
> 1) Are there clear reasons why running an old box + Linux as a router
> / firewall / etc.  is *better* than just using the features in the
> little $60 router?  (I mean, the *fan noise alone* from this old box
> is enough to tilt the scales for me  :-)

Pros
- Learn OS and network admin stuff
- Learn firewall techniques
- Better logs
- Use sniffing tools to find/see/learn
- You can make it from parts so no $ up front
- Wider control over port forwarding, packet dropping, etc.

Cons
- Noise
- Install and setup time (though not much for just a firewall)
- Maintenance time/costs
- Electricity use is much higher
- Maybe too much to learn (but most firewall distros can be install and 
forget)

> 2) Do people plug in Wi-Fi adapters into the old box and use it to
> control a wireless network?  Or is all that better left to the D-Link?
>  I ask because my son's Win XP box is currently wireless.

I think the other Craig answered this one pretty well.

Alan
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