Firewall Solution Advice
Greetings;
I run a web programming business from home. I have 4 Windows computers running either Windows 2000 Pro or Windows XP Pro. I am looking for a firewall solution and am willing to spend in the neighborhood of $500 for the solution. My expertise is not firewalls or networking.
I am looking for advice on a firewall solution in my price range. (I have been told that hardware solutions are better/faster than software solutions.)
Much thanks ... Dave
I run a web programming business from home. I have 4 Windows computers running either Windows 2000 Pro or Windows XP Pro. I am looking for a firewall solution and am willing to spend in the neighborhood of $500 for the solution. My expertise is not firewalls or networking.
I am looking for advice on a firewall solution in my price range. (I have been told that hardware solutions are better/faster than software solutions.)
Much thanks ... Dave
ASKER
Greetings Tim;
I use a Comcast cable modem which is connected to a NIC on my Windows XP Pro system. A second NIC in the same computer connects to one of the ports in an Asante switch. The other 3 computers running Windows 2000 Pro are connected to the switch as well. The XP system acts as an Internet gateway (hopefully, "gateway" is the right term).
There are no hardware routers in the topography.
Hope this helps.
Much thanks ... Dave
I use a Comcast cable modem which is connected to a NIC on my Windows XP Pro system. A second NIC in the same computer connects to one of the ports in an Asante switch. The other 3 computers running Windows 2000 Pro are connected to the switch as well. The XP system acts as an Internet gateway (hopefully, "gateway" is the right term).
There are no hardware routers in the topography.
Hope this helps.
Much thanks ... Dave
Dave,
You can get most any cable/dsl router and get minimal firewall protection for cheap. The best thing you'll find in your price range if you want a firewall that will go above and beyond what you can get at CompUSA is probably a NetScreen 5-GT:
http://www.juniper.net/products/integrated/dsheet/ds_5gt_xt.pdf
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=841762/search=netscreen/ut=437f3423d6c7107c
You can get most any cable/dsl router and get minimal firewall protection for cheap. The best thing you'll find in your price range if you want a firewall that will go above and beyond what you can get at CompUSA is probably a NetScreen 5-GT:
http://www.juniper.net/products/integrated/dsheet/ds_5gt_xt.pdf
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=841762/search=netscreen/ut=437f3423d6c7107c
$500 will just about cover a complete wireless router/firewall home networking kit, running the latest and fastest 802.11g variant !
Wireless router/firewall/integrated
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=netgear+wireless+802.11g
Wireless PCI /PC Card adapters - $50-$100
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=pci+wireless+802.11g
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=pc+card+wireless+802.11g
Wireless is more fun at home, as you can use your laptop anywhere, especially if you've been booted out of the lounge by your wife. ;)
Wireless router/firewall/integrated
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=netgear+wireless+802.11g
Wireless PCI /PC Card adapters - $50-$100
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=pci+wireless+802.11g
http://www.google.com/froogle?q=pc+card+wireless+802.11g
Wireless is more fun at home, as you can use your laptop anywhere, especially if you've been booted out of the lounge by your wife. ;)
ASKER
Thank you for your replies.
How does the NetScreen 5-GT compare to the Cisco PIX 501?
Much thanks ... Dave
How does the NetScreen 5-GT compare to the Cisco PIX 501?
Much thanks ... Dave
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Most Internet routers have firewalling built in, so there's not really much point buying a separate box to do the job, especially on this budget. You're better off investing in anti-virus or malicious code detection on the clients.