Low-Profile Firewalls?

rhyder asks: "I have seen articles on Low Power Computers , and articles on Cool Cases, and a few on Very Small Servers. What I would like to do is use a generic Pentium-Class to Pentium II Motherboard inside a small case with a power supply enough for 1 drive and a single CPU. My intention is to build a box which will run the NetBSD-I386 Firewall Project . Check it out, it is a remarkable free firewall. I already have enough juice polluting the atmosphere, and I would like to keep it to a minimum with this and future projects. Where can I find either slim X86 Clients or cases which meet the above description, and of course, get the best value for the $$$?" We've discussed firewall appliances before, but I think size and power consumption were never really discussed.

Comments

When all you have is a hammer...

[trims]

... everything starts to look like a nail.

The point here is:

Use the right tool for the job

Now, I don't have the full facts, since your question leaves out quite a bit, but I'm going to assume (given the low-power interest) that you're a SOHO user - someone with a small network to defend, but no real need for VPN support at the firewall, and something limited to DSL/cable modem speeds. According to your question, you're obviously looking for a firewall only, and not something that will do other stuff (like mail, etc).

Simply put, you can't beat one of the turnkey solutions. The Netgear and LinkSys solutions mentioned in the previous Ask Slashdot draw miniscue amounts of power - far less than even the most miserly PC. They're tiny, completely silent (no fan needed!), and cheap (sub $200).

I don't have direct experience with the Netgear, but I do with the LinkSys. It has a web-based interface, and also allows you to customize a text config file for complex setup. I like it over the Netgear because it includes a 4-port 10/100 SWITCH. NAT and DHCP support.

If these are truely not for you, look into a Netwinder or a used Cobalt Cube. They're a bit more, but they have all the functionality you could wish for, and they draw very little power (and are pretty damn small). If you must have a x86 PC, look for an old Compaq Deskpro (there are some nice little LPX-form-factor ones) off of eBAY.

Don't approach the problem bass-ackwards. Draw up your requirements from a functionality standpoint, then look for solutions that fit your criteria. Don't decide on a solution until you've considered all the alternatives.

-Erik

Flash Memory

[Detritus]

TAPR has a PC board that will let you use a CompactFlash memory card as a replacement for an IDE disk drive. You plug the memory card into the PC board and attach the IDE drive cable to the connector on the PC board. It looks ideal for Linux based controllers, routers and firewalls. Flash memory cards are getting cheaper. I've seen 16 MB flash cards selling for about $50.