anouther router thread

[LordShard]

But here is a question. I will need a router, but if I ever finish my linux box and get a new moniter for it it will look like this

cable modem
| 10/100Mbps
linux box (firewall box)
| 1Gbps
hub\switch-Friends computers for lan parties
| 1Gbps
my main computer

now how much extra latency would there be if I went with it like that? and also what kind of router would I need? just a basic run of the mill router or something special?

Right now it looks like

cable modem
| 10/100/1000Mbps
my main computer


------------------

Also with the info from ralph's router question I will definatly look into NetGear routers. Phuck cisco

[RCinator]

Originally posted by LordShard
But here is a question. I will need a router, but if I ever finish my linux box and get a new moniter for it it will look like this

cable modem
| 10/100Mbps
linux box (firewall box)
| 1Gbps
hub\switch-Friends computers for lan parties
| 1Gbps
my main computer

now how much extra latency would there be if I went with it like that? and also what kind of router would I need? just a basic run of the mill router or something special?

Right now it looks like

cable modem
| 10/100/1000Mbps
my main computer


------------------

Also with the info from ralph's router question I will definatly look into NetGear routers. Phuck cisco

First, I doubt your cable modem is actually 10/100/1000 . . . it's probably only 10/100.

The actual cable-modem to cable-company connection is already running well below 10MBps, so imposing a 10/100 restriction in the path between your local 1GB network and the public 10MB cable company network isn't going to introduce any more bandwidth restrictions than are already in place.

You would, however, get better performance (less latency) by purchasing a cheapy router (like the netgear) and wiring it as in the attached image. This also removes the burden of your PC acting as the firewall.

[LordShard]

Yeah my cable modem is 10Mbps I think, but my network card connecting to it is 10/100/1000, I just put that one for only god knows why.

So I don't need a firewall box at all? I would just have the software anti virus/firewall on my computer and the router/firewall and that is all I would need?

[RCinator]

Originally posted by LordShard
Yeah my cable modem is 10Mbps I think, but my network card connecting to it is 10/100/1000, I just put that one for only god knows why.

So I don't need a firewall box at all? I would just have the software anti virus/firewall on my computer and the router/firewall and that is all I would need?

The Netgear box IS the firewall. The chain would run:
Internet - Cable Modem - Netgear Router/Firewall - Gigabit Switch - Local network.

You're removing your PC from the chain, freeing up your PC, and increasing the performance of your network by using a dedicated network firewall device. You could actually disable the software firewall on your pc in this configuration.

[LordShard]

Well how is the firewall router updated? Does it do it auotmaticly? Is there a control port where you download the updates to your PC then upload it to the Router?

[RCinator]

Originally posted by LordShard
Well how is the firewall router updated? Does it do it auotmaticly? Is there a control port where you download the updates to your PC then upload it to the Router?

Binary firmware images are distributed directly through the Netgear website. The negear router then has a (fairly elegant) web-based admin tool where you can upload the new firmware. The admin tool also lets you open and close ports at will, set up a DMZ, and assign standard ACCEPT/DENY style firewall rules.

[LordShard]

Originally posted by RCinator
Binary firmware images are distributed directly through the Netgear website. The negear router then has a (fairly elegant) web-based admin tool where you can upload the new firmware. The admin tool also lets you open and close ports at will, set up a DMZ, and assign standard ACCEPT/DENY style firewall rules.

Sounds good . What happens if the firmware upgrade crashes? Do you have to send it back to teh manufacturer like when a Flash rom bios update goes bad?

[RCinator]

Originally posted by LordShard
Sounds good . What happens if the firmware upgrade crashes? Do you have to send it back to teh manufacturer like when a Flash rom bios update goes bad?

In 5 years of netgear use, I have NEVER been able to destroy the router via firmware upgrade. I believe they use an atomic commit operation whereby the new firmware isn't actually written to ROM until it is fully uploaded and verified, and even then, it only happens on the next reboot. It's pretty hard to ruin

[LordShard]

Originally posted by RCinator
In 5 years of netgear use, I have NEVER been able to destroy the router via firmware upgrade. I believe they use an atomic commit operation whereby the new firmware isn't actually written to ROM until it is fully uploaded and verified, and even then, it only happens on the next reboot. It's pretty hard to ruin

Next class I'll go tell them to go use netgear! Not having to worry about screwing up a firmware upgrade is freakin awesome.