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DilLy · 08-07-2002, 03:19 PM

All this talk I have heard of Routers doing a much better job than software based firewalls has me interested.

A couple of questions though;
DOes having a router affect the performance and speed of internet connections negatively?
Also, will there be any ill effects from using one with my software firewall (ZAPro)?
How are routers set up, or in other words, when I get one what is the basic process of getting it up and running correctly (just so I know what I'm in for)?

Thanks guys/gals

**HAL9000** · 08-07-2002, 03:23 PM

Basically, the only setup to a router is to transfer your current configuration (IP, DNS, etc.) into the router. Follow the included instructions and it's really quite painless.

If anything, software firewalls are what's gonna slow you down as you have the overhead of running the software to begin with and on top of that, processing the rules that allow traffic in and out of the system.

Tuf · 08-07-2002, 03:34 PM

My router has been up for over a year without being reset. You just plug in your settings. It doesn't require anything from the computer after that so if anything it should be faster. But just having a trouble free Internet Connection for my network that isn't dependent upon a particular machine is worth it to me.

newme · 08-07-2002, 04:07 PM

so if i use a dsl router then i can disable zone alarm and use the router by itself as a firewall ?

**HAL9000** · 08-07-2002, 04:25 PM

You can, but there is one benefit of keeping ZA running. It scans outgoing info. If you pick up a trojan, it will go out of your system right past the router. ZA will request authorization first which is your first sign that you have a problem.

newme · 08-07-2002, 04:35 PM

okay thanks hal im getting a router to run another comp. in the house. is there a wireless option could you recommend a brand its for adsl
thanks

**HAL9000** · 08-07-2002, 04:41 PM

I've only dealt with Linksys and SMC, both make a wireless solution as well and either would work fine for you.

DilLy · 08-07-2002, 04:44 PM

Can you recommend a good model? Prices? (mostly want a Linksys, since thats what everyone recommends)

Battery Powered · 08-08-2002, 02:09 AM

Sorry to bump in here, but with a dsl router, does it establish the internet connection?

**HAL9000** · 08-08-2002, 08:50 AM

Yes, the router makes the connection, then using Netword Address Translation (NAT) converts the signals to private IP's (192.168.xxx.xxx).

***glc*** · 08-08-2002, 09:26 AM

newme: http://www.linksys.com/Products/prod...id=23&prid=173

You must have an Ethernet DSL modem to use this. It goes for about $150 US.

Battery Powered · 08-08-2002, 06:51 PM

oki thx for clearing that one up

08-07-2002, 03:19 PM	#1
DilLy Member (10 bit) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 772	Hardware Firewalls and performance... All this talk I have heard of Routers doing a much better job than software based firewalls has me interested. A couple of questions though; DOes having a router affect the performance and speed of internet connections negatively? Also, will there be any ill effects from using one with my software firewall (ZAPro)? How are routers set up, or in other words, when I get one what is the basic process of getting it up and running correctly (just so I know what I'm in for)? Thanks guys/gals Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-07-2002, 03:23 PM	#2
HAL9000 Red-eyed Moderator Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 17,576	Basically, the only setup to a router is to transfer your current configuration (IP, DNS, etc.) into the router. Follow the included instructions and it's really quite painless. If anything, software firewalls are what's gonna slow you down as you have the overhead of running the software to begin with and on top of that, processing the rules that allow traffic in and out of the system. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ -At Ford, quality is job #1, job #2 is making them explode. ~Norm MacDonald, SNL News -Switching to Glide..Balancing in my head..inside of me... taking the glide path instead.

08-07-2002, 03:34 PM	#3
Tuf Member (12 bit) Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,261	My router has been up for over a year without being reset. You just plug in your settings. It doesn't require anything from the computer after that so if anything it should be faster. But just having a trouble free Internet Connection for my network that isn't dependent upon a particular machine is worth it to me. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-07-2002, 04:07 PM	#4
newme Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: british columbia canada Posts: 1,361	so if i use a dsl router then i can disable zone alarm and use the router by itself as a firewall ? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-07-2002, 04:25 PM	#5
HAL9000 Red-eyed Moderator Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 17,576	You can, but there is one benefit of keeping ZA running. It scans outgoing info. If you pick up a trojan, it will go out of your system right past the router. ZA will request authorization first which is your first sign that you have a problem. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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08-07-2002, 04:35 PM	#6
newme Member (11 bit) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: british columbia canada Posts: 1,361	okay thanks hal im getting a router to run another comp. in the house. is there a wireless option could you recommend a brand its for adsl thanks Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-07-2002, 04:41 PM	#7
HAL9000 Red-eyed Moderator Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 17,576	I've only dealt with Linksys and SMC, both make a wireless solution as well and either would work fine for you. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-07-2002, 04:44 PM	#8
DilLy Member (10 bit) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 772	Can you recommend a good model? Prices? (mostly want a Linksys, since thats what everyone recommends) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-08-2002, 02:09 AM	#9
Battery Powered Member (9 bit) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 389	Sorry to bump in here, but with a dsl router, does it establish the internet connection? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-08-2002, 08:50 AM	#10
HAL9000 Red-eyed Moderator Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 17,576	Yes, the router makes the connection, then using Netword Address Translation (NAT) converts the signals to private IP's (192.168.xxx.xxx). Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-08-2002, 09:26 AM	#11
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 37,771	newme: http://www.linksys.com/Products/prod...id=23&prid=173 You must have an Ethernet DSL modem to use this. It goes for about $150 US. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

08-08-2002, 06:51 PM	#12
Battery Powered Member (9 bit) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 389	oki thx for clearing that one up Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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