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View Full Version : Firewall. Software or hardware?

LiveDose
02-19-2002, 06:43 PM
Hey all. I was wondering which would be considered a better bet, using a switch or hub with a built in firewall or a software firewall like Sygate.<br /><br />Any recommendations would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />LD <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
LiveDose
02-19-2002, 08:32 PM
I know this isn't an interesting topic but...<br /><br />Anyone? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />LD <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
AzteK
02-19-2002, 08:38 PM
one advantage of using a hardware firewall would be saving your system resources.
AzteK
02-19-2002, 08:40 PM
ok another hardware advantage<br /><br />what if your OS goes down by a virus? then your software firewall goes down too <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
AzteK
02-19-2002, 08:49 PM
another advantage of hardware<br /><br />the official IP is given by your ISP, no your computer. You'll be assigned a private IP which communicates through the firewall. Thus, adding another layer of protection.<br /><br />I read this just now...
LiveDose
02-19-2002, 08:55 PM
Aztek,<br /><br />Thanks man. Those are all good points and I wanted to get some feedback like that before I started setting up.<br /><br />LD <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
NetRodent
02-19-2002, 10:54 PM
It really comes down to cost vs. features. Hardware firewalls are generally more expensive but easier to setup. Software firewalls are cheaper and more configurable. <br /><br />For example, I use an old 200 mhz pentium running slackware linux with iptables as my firewall/router. Total cost $0.00 and a couple of hours reading man pages.