[PLUG] [CTCNet Phl] Tech question: Internet routers (fwd)

["M.Simons" <msimons@slackware.com>]

Greetings, 

   This was sent to me as I am on the CTCNet (local Community Technology
Centers) mailing list for the local area.. (there are national lists
too) I am inclined to recommend old boxes with some sort of linux or
bsd(open?) preconfigured distro specifically for doing so.. however, I
don't really have the expertise, and the linux router project has
basically died. (www.linuxrouter.org)  What other distros or projects are
there? preferrably something simple, easy to use yet secure, stable. 

If anybody would be interested in volunteering to help people figure this
out, or get them up and running.. I am sure it would be much appreciated.. 
I have on many an occasion spoken to some of the local tech & computer
reuse nonprofit organizations, and they are very interested in linux &
open source.. but they don't have the expertise.  

This is a VERY GOOD opportunity to get Tux's (or the Daemon's) foot in the
door of a lot of organizations! (Not to mention put a lot of old 486s to
good use!)

-- 
msimons@slackware.com INFORMATION*MEDIA*PHOTOGRAPHY msimonsmail@yahoo.com 
Creative Arts Resource Project : PTMaterials Exchange : www.pleasetake.org
A 501(c)3 Non-profit Organization Arts and Environmental Resource Network
Shopping Online? Use http://www.igive.com/carp/ make donations at no cost!
Do you like what I do? Consider donating resources to CARP; Ask me how!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2003 23:41:19 -0500
From: Stan Pokras <pokras@libertynet.org>
To: CTCNet_Phl <CTCNet@delawarevalley.org>
Subject: [CTCNet Phl] Tech question: Internet routers

Happy New Year to everyone...

Here is a timely question. Many groups with labs and many nonprofit 
organizations with networks will want to take advantage of the 
Internet by using a single connection such as a modem or DSL line and 
sharing that connection with their entire network. The device that 
performs this function is called a "Router."  Windows 98 and later 
versions provide this function and call it "Internet Connection 
Sharing." This requires that a computer play the role of routing 
Internet to the network by creating a "software router." The software 
router requires that the routing computer be on for any of the other 
computers to use the Internet.

A better solution is to use a "hardware router." This is a small box 
that connects to the Internet and to the local area network. These 
devices (especially those for DSL and Cable) are now getting very 
inexpensive ($40 - $150). So, here we have a question, what brands of 
hardware routers are best? Should they have built-in security 
features to keep hackers out of your network? And, who sells these 
devices locally? Or, should they be best purchased via an outlet that 
can be found on the Internet?

Thanks to Lola Moore of Rowan University for bringing up these 
issues! Here is Lola's question. Do you have any thoughts on this? 
How about suggestions for a supplier?

Stan

>X-Originating-IP: [152.163.189.98]
>From: "Lola H. Moore" <lola743@hotmail.com>
>To: pokras@libertynet.org
>Bcc:
>Subject: Rowan University
>Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 15:37:42 -0500
>X-OriginalArrivalTime: 06 Jan 2003 20:37:42.0589 (UTC) 
>FILETIME=[762FCED0:01C2B5C3]
>
>
>Stan,
>Greetings and a Happy and Blessed New Year to you.
>
>We need some information on purchasing Network Routers'independent 
>of the Internet Providers for our non-profits.  Can you help or 
>provide me with a source to make said purchases?
>
>Sure hope you can help
>
>Lola
>

-- 

                          *           *           *
Stanley R. Pokras, Executive Director   Nonprofit Technology Resources (NTR)
Vice Chair, Technology Resource Consortium (http://www.igc.apc.org/trc/)
Regional Coord, Community Technology Centers' Network (http://www.ctcnet.org/)

                        Nonprofit Technology Resources
                            1524 Brandywine Street
                            Philadelphia PA  19130
                   215-564-6686 (day)      215-564-6642 (fax)
                            215-922-0227 (evenings)
              Find our "Home Page" at http://www.libertynet.org/ntr/


_________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group        --       http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.netisland.net/mailman/listinfo/plug