Re: system requirements

[Roberto Micarelli <mi.ro@iol.it>]

D'jinnie wrote:
> 
> [please Cc: me with your replies]
> Well, I've finally convinced my boss to take Linux seriously and get a
> firewall (since the University I attend and work for, that shall remain
> nameless, does not have one). She asked me a question that rather floored
> me - if we get an older PC to just be a dedicated firewall machine, what
> are the min. system requirements for it not to slow anything down? I
> wasn't sure how to answer that, although I think pretty much anything
> above a 486 with an acceptable amount of RAM will do...this will be for a
> department, several NT servers, 2 Solaris boxes, other assorted stuff. Any
> help, pointers, URLs, etc would be appreciated!
> 

I think the difference is mainly based on the network load and speed,
if you have 100MB ethernet you will need a PCI motherboard.
Is more significant the number of subnets to route, rather than the number
of connected clients.
I route three 10MB ethernet subnets using a 486/32MB firewall, 5 months uptime.
No monitor, no keyboard, no cost. Just plug it into a UPS.

	Rob

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