Re: [PLUG] plug Digest, Vol 154, Issue 34

[Greg Helledy <gregsonh@gra-inc.com>]

On 9/19/2017 4:05 PM, plug-request@lists.phillylinux.org wrote:
> rather than tell you what*i*  use, i'ma ask some questions here to find
> out what's best for*you*.
>
> do you plan on implementing separate networks?

I don't plan to now, but would like to be able to in the future (thus a 
model with 4 LAN ports instead of 2).

> do you like to dig deep into the internals and making them perform
> *exactly*  how you like even if it takes a lot of time, or are you more
> interested in getting a configuration set up that "mostly works" like
> you want it to as long as it's a quick setup?
>
> (similarly, do you prefer to grok what you set up or do you prefer
> turnkey applications?)
> do you need/want a graphical (web) interface? if not, do you prefer
> something more "*nix-y" (managing services directly) or more
> "appliance-y" (abstraction layer/CLI specifically designed for the role
> is present)?
>
> do you want to pay money for it?

All good questions.  I intend for this device to be pretty much an 
appliance, shuffling bits back and forth for months on end without me 
logging in.  Basically like my Tomato router, but with more powerful 
hardware and more expandability down the road, if I want to VPN into my 
home computers or have a second LAN to separate my PC from a Smart TV.

In that kind of use, I'll probably forget the details of how things work 
between logins and would benefit from a UI that guides me to a working 
solution quickly, even if it's not the most efficient possible.  That 
said, it should have a terminal app for when the situation arises that 
the designers didn't have in mind and being able to edit a config is 
essential.  It should have a web UI and OSS components are preferred 
over proprietary ones.

I don't think I need to pay money, I know I can use the community 
edition of ClearOS (once upon a time Clarkconnect) for free and I don't 
need handholding as long as the product is not still in a beta stage of 
maturity.

It didn't occur to me that there would be a Wikipedia page to answer 
this question, although it's still just a list, not representing the 
collective wisdom of this group as to which are better for my purpose.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_router_and_firewall_distributions

--
Greg Helledy
GRA, Incorporated
P:  +1 215-884-7500
F:  +1 215-884-1385
www.gra.aero
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