[TriLUG] best router / firewall distro

[Israel J Pattison]

I'll put my vote in for ClarkConnect (http://www.clarkconnect.org). Version 
3.1 (based on RHEL/CentOS, version 3.0 is based on FC2) will be out any day 
now. I've been using ClarkConnect for years and I am very pleased with how 
easy it is to install and configure.

CC gives you two installation types -- Gateway and Standalone server. You 
get to select options such as a web server, file and print servers, etc. at 
install time, but you can also install them from the webconfig console 
later.

Everything can be configured from the "Dashboard" which is a php-based web 
configuration tool. The Dashboard is intuitive and attractive.

Version 3.0 and earlier came with a mail server and squirrelmail for 
groupware. Version 3.1 will include Open-Exchange server, although it isn't 
clear whether it will come bundled with the "Home" version. CC provides 
MySQL and myPHPAdmin for a database. Version 3.0 also included gallery for 
sharing pictures online. 

A friend of mine who is consulting for a non-profit agency was considering 
smoothwall, but when I demonstrated CC 3.0 running on my gateway at home he 
changed his mind. He was turned on by the IPsec and MS PPTP VPN options. 

ClarkConnect is developed by an Ottawa company, PointClark Networks. PCN 
sells gateway appliances and services to small to midsized business. PCN 
also offers network services such as DNS hosting and remote system 
monitoring. When they decided to use RedHat as the base for their appliance, 
they decided to make it a community effort. Individual users can download 
and install the finished product for free. 

Israel

On 7/11/05, Ryan Wheaton <ryan.wheaton at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Hey guys.
> 
> just another monday. I'm currently running a 486 with smoothwall for a
> all in one router / firewall system, and I like it fine, but it's an
> older version and it's time to upgrade. Was thinking of just putting
> the newer version of Smoothwall on there, but wanted to get everyone's
> recommendations. Unless a better candidate comes along, I think it's
> between SmoothWall and *m0n0wall. I like the options and BSD security
> offered by m0n0wall, and have read good things, but I've heard that it's
> hard to get set up? Note that i'm not all that experienced with BSD's
> but linux is a familiar home.
> 
> best,
> rtw
> *
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-- 
Israel J. Pattison 
Raleigh, NC
Email: pattison at usa.com 
Web: http://www.fanana.net

"Infinity, dear [friends], extends not only outward, but inward, into each 
human heart." -- Dr. E. Urner Goodman