Hardware firewall, should I make one?

[Dabombinable]

I've been looking for ways to re-purpose one of my old rigs, and I was wondering if I should turn one into a hardware firewall. It would have to connect to my router via wifi, and to my computer via a 10Mbps ISA ethernet card, but will the benefits outweigh the higher latency and slightly reduced speeds? (I get 10.3Mbps down/923Kbps up, latency varies greatly).  Also, if it is worth the effort of making the HWfirewall, should I use one of my Pentium II based Celerons, or a Pentium III (667MHz and 1GHz) as its CPU?

[Bittenfleax]

I've been looking for ways to re-purpose one of my old rigs, and I was wondering if I should turn one into a hardware firewall. It would have to connect to my router via wifi, and to my computer via a 10Mbps ISA ethernet card, but will the benefits outweigh the higher latency and slightly reduced speeds? (I get 10.3Mbps down/923Kbps up, latency varies greatly).  Also, if it is worth the effort of making the HWfirewall, should I use one of my Pentium II based Celerons, or a Pentium III (667MHz and 1GHz) as its CPU?

Question is, do you "need" one? Or "want" one? 

 

I would do it anyway  :lol:

[TheKDub]

I've been looking for ways to re-purpose one of my old rigs, and I was wondering if I should turn one into a hardware firewall. It would have to connect to my router via wifi, and to my computer via a 10Mbps ISA ethernet card, but will the benefits outweigh the higher latency and slightly reduced speeds? (I get 10.3Mbps down/923Kbps up, latency varies greatly).  Also, if it is worth the effort of making the HWfirewall, should I use one of my Pentium II based Celerons, or a Pentium III (667MHz and 1GHz) as its CPU?

 

As a minimum for that I'd go for a 10/100 card to help prevent issues.

[Dabombinable]

Question is, do you "need" one? Or "want" one? 

 

I would do it anyway  :lol:

I don't know if I need one (in Australia), and want is debatable as I hate seeing my computer's just sit and collect dust.

[Dabombinable]

As a minimum for that I'd go for a 10/100 card to help prevent issues.

I might have to look for one then, luckily all of my slot 1/ s370 boards have PCI - I don't think 100Mbps ISA Ethernet cards exist.

[Bittenfleax]

I don't know if I need one (in Australia), and want is debatable as I hate seeing my computer's just sit and collect dust.

Hmm, maybe have is for streaming or have it for watching programs/movies on your TV instead? (just an idea  ) 

[techguru]

im sure you can find something better to do with it...or sell it

[Dabombinable]

Hmm, maybe have is for streaming or have it for watching programs/movies on your TV instead? (just an idea  ) 

I've already got my Dual PIII rig set up for that with a HDTV tuner card. (AKA my ultimate legacy rig  )

[Dabombinable]

im sure you can find something better to do with it...or sell it

Most of its my first computer from 1999 (its had a few repairs/upgrades since then), selling won't happen for a really long time-if I can even part with it.

[Bittenfleax]

I've already got my Dual PIII rig set up for that with a HDTV tuner card. (AKA my ultimate legacy rig  )

Oh, haha. Nice  :lol:

[Blebekblebek]

if you don't have problem with power bill then why not, but just because it's legacy doesn't mean it use power less than new system.

 

because the system is too old, if you find it useful and critical for daily use have you ever thought for redundant plant just incase hardware failure?

[Dabombinable]

if you don't have problem with power bill then why not, but just because it's legacy doesn't mean it use power less than new system.

 

because the system is too old, if you find it useful and critical for daily use have you ever thought for redundant plant just incase hardware failure?

I've got enough spare parts to fix anything that fails, so if that's what you mean by redundant, then I've got if covered.

[TheKDub]

I might have to look for one then, luckily all of my slot 1/ s370 boards have PCI - I don't think 100Mbps ISA Ethernet cards exist.

http://www.amazon.com/Olicom-23769812-ISA-Card-Retail/dp/B0045JNJLE

[Dabombinable]

http://www.amazon.com/Olicom-23769812-ISA-Card-Retail/dp/B0045JNJLE

Thanks