[TriLUG] Best O/S for a Linux Router/Firewall?

[Jonathan Woodbury]

If you're really not interested in a sophisticated interface for this, I'd
recommend Debian.  I've been using it for Linux routers and firewalls, both
at home and at work, for many years.  I never have used any fancy interface
for managing them; just iptables, good comments, and a basic init script for
saving and restoring the rules.  I highly recommend -m comment for iptables!
 I think the simplicity and robustness of Debian's /etc/interfaces helps
make it good choice as a network appliance distribution.

I am surprised how often BSD gets recommend for a networking appliance for
people most familiar with Linux.  Linux has (perhaps not in the past) an
extremely rich feature set in this area.

If you are looking for something with that sophisticated interface, it might
be worth checking out vyatta.org.  I've never used their product, but I've
wanted to check it out in the past.  And incidentally, it is built on
Debian.

Jonathan