Choosing a Router/Firewall for the Home LAN

Dr. Zowie asks: "How should one choose a router for a home LAN? We just added a few hosts on our home ethernet, which is connected via DSL. There are an amazing number of new entries into the market for routers and even stand-alone firewalls. NetGear, Linksys, SMC, and even Panasonic all have boxen in the $99-$300 range, each of which will do some combination of NAT, routing, source-IP filtering, port filtering, and content filtering."

"It's not at all obvious from the packaging, the web sites, or the drool-proof pamphlets in the boxes which routers will do what. For example, we'd like to pass through packets for our two server machines, and use NAT/DHCP on a third address for the rest of the LAN. Nearly all the boxes advertise that they can do NAT routing, but many don't support NAT and static-IP routing simultaneously.

Die-hards will insist that one should run a standalone box with dual ethernet cards and the appropriate routing goodies -- but these standalone boxes, at 5-15 watts and a couple hundred bucks, seem like comparatively hassle-free solution. Which one do you use?"

Comments

Re:Old PC

[IronChef]

But you also need to know OpenBSD. People who are not interested in being sysadmins have a right to NAT too!

There are also people who do not want to, or do not know HOW to assemble a cheap PC from parts. There is no shame in a "black box" solution.

Re:Old PC

[Manitcor]

I think you are missing the point. Yes it may be the best solution to set up a PC. The person asking the question however wants to know which out of the box solution is best. Not what do-it-yourself solution is best.

How is it so many smart people have so much trouble reading?