Relatively simple linux router / vpn distro
I have discovered that my router is a piece of garbage. It doesn't even support VPN passthrough. It's a Linksys BEFSR81.
Ideally I'd like to replace it with a linux distribution running in a virtual machine on my Windows server. What is a good linux distribution which will provide a "plug and play" router that will work with virtual hardware, and basically provide the services of a decent router?
I'm primarily looking for VPN passthrough, port forwarding, and bandwidth management
Also, what extra hardware should I put in the server in the way of NICs? Would it be useful / necessary for the machine to have several network adapters to work with?
Ideally I'd like to replace it with a linux distribution running in a virtual machine on my Windows server. What is a good linux distribution which will provide a "plug and play" router that will work with virtual hardware, and basically provide the services of a decent router?
I'm primarily looking for VPN passthrough, port forwarding, and bandwidth management
Also, what extra hardware should I put in the server in the way of NICs? Would it be useful / necessary for the machine to have several network adapters to work with?
ASKER
Sure I have no qualms over what kind of OS it is. I just would like it to be relatively straightforward to configure (e.g. provide some kind of web interface or other method of configuration so I'm not playing around with settings files all day)
I'll take a look into those two products. I'm also looking at Vyatta - do you know anything about that one? It seemed to suggest that it was specifically designed to be used in a virtual environment.
I'll take a look into those two products. I'm also looking at Vyatta - do you know anything about that one? It seemed to suggest that it was specifically designed to be used in a virtual environment.
ASKER
I looked into Vyatta - and it is a very nice BSD based firewall/router.
But it still is basically just a graphical skin over linux's existing routing system. I still need a lot of knowledge about how to set up the iptables, the firewall, etc., far more than what you'd need for a traditional router.
I'm really looking for something with a web interface and configuration similar to that of traditional routers. Does something like that exist?
But it still is basically just a graphical skin over linux's existing routing system. I still need a lot of knowledge about how to set up the iptables, the firewall, etc., far more than what you'd need for a traditional router.
I'm really looking for something with a web interface and configuration similar to that of traditional routers. Does something like that exist?
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ASKER
Well I've finally resurfaced after plunging in way over my head with all of these distros.
I think the problem is I just don't understand the terminology and concepts behind linux networking well enough to do anything useful with these distros.
I'v'e even give OpenWRT / DD-WRT a try but the x86 platforms are somewhat difficult to compile/setup so they work in a virtual machine environment.
I'm throwing in the towel, I think i'm just going to go buy a router.
I think the problem is I just don't understand the terminology and concepts behind linux networking well enough to do anything useful with these distros.
I'v'e even give OpenWRT / DD-WRT a try but the x86 platforms are somewhat difficult to compile/setup so they work in a virtual machine environment.
I'm throwing in the towel, I think i'm just going to go buy a router.
if you tell me what you need to do i can help you out if you like.
On the Linux side the Debian based Untangle works well.