Small Office Firewall
I have installed a 3Com 48 Port Switch to provide broadband Internet to an office with 28 users. We were using inexpensive Netgear and/or Linksys wireless routers to deliver DSL to the users but have upgraded to 2 T1 connections from our ISP. We have a static IP address for our LAN. My questions are; regarding the switch (3com Switch 2250 Plus 48 ports 10/100 + GB 3C16476A SFP). Do I, simply, set the Switch IP address to the one given to me by my ISP in order to deliver the Internet to the users? Secondly can I put one of my wireless routers between the ISP connection and the 3com switch to provide a temporary firewall untill I can research an affordable solution to securing the network. I am fairly new to networking. Unfortunately cost is a limiting factor until our office can get up and running. Our ISP comes into the office on Cat5, RJ45 connection. If practical to do so, how can I connect the RJ45 to the telephone port of the wireless router. We need to be up and running by Tuesday morning. That is why I am considering the temporary firewall solution.
Thanks!
Ray
Thanks!
Ray
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Thanks for your response tigermatt. I am not sure if it is relevant but our ISP installed an IAD which terminates into a 48 port connector board. I likely incorrectly assumed that the 3com switch would serve as a router.
Also; thanks to TechSoEasy for your response. I am reviewing the Microsoft networking document and have found valuable information. After I finish this article I may have more questions.
For either tigermatt or TechSoEasy; what router might you suggest for a small LAN like ours?
Ray
Also; thanks to TechSoEasy for your response. I am reviewing the Microsoft networking document and have found valuable information. After I finish this article I may have more questions.
For either tigermatt or TechSoEasy; what router might you suggest for a small LAN like ours?
Ray
FOr a start, anything from a brand name - Netgear, linksys, Dlink.
Later on as your needs become better defined, you may need something else, especially of you start needing vPN access for people to work from home.
I hope this helps !
Later on as your needs become better defined, you may need something else, especially of you start needing vPN access for people to work from home.
I hope this helps !
That would make sense if they have installed an IAD.
As for your router, despite all the bad opinions people will give about Netgear, I particularly find the Netgear Prosafe Firewalls very good for low demand offices with small amounts of users. They are generally relatively cheap compared with other firewalls in their class, have VPN capabilities for remote access and a wealth of management tools.
If you are looking for a start-up router/firewall, then look at their cheapest product, the Netgear FVS114. However, for your size, I'd probably be looking at one of the slightly more expensive ones. You can check out the Wired Firewalls at http://www.netgear.com/Products/VPNandSSL/WiredVPNFirewallRouters.aspx?for=Business+Networking. All those firewalls have Ethernet WAN inputs (so they don't have a DSL Modem) and as such, they will work for you.
One additional word of advise - avoid Belkin. Their products in a corporate environment where you expect them to just work and keep working are not the best. For me, they have proven unreliable.
-tigermatt
I'll second Matt's suggestion about using Netgear. Their ProSafe line is pretty solid.
Jeff
TechSoEasy
Jeff
TechSoEasy
Nice detailed link there. Thanks Jeff.
Matt.