Re: REQ comments - Using a Mini for gateway/firewall duty.
- From: Jim <no@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 07 Jul 2007 16:32:37 -0700
In article <no-709C45.15563107072007@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Jim <no@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
In article <2007070712561377923-jollyroger@REMOVEpoboxcom>,
Jolly Roger <jollyroger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 2007-07-07 09:40:52 -0500, Jim <no@xxxxxxxx> said:
I've been using Slack Linux for several years as gateway/firewall for
LANs. Would like to convert to Mac Mini for space as well as software
advantages.
Two issues come to mind.
1) How good are the USB ethernet adapters? Recommendations on which ones
are preferable.
Man, if you're going to have to purchase something (a USB / Ethernet
adapter), I'd recommend instead purchasing a hardware router/firewall
and placing that at the head of your network, and using the mini for
other services (file sharing, ftp, http, etc.).
I was a bit brief as I didn't want to narrow the reply comments. That
said, these systems go into both my own networks and small mom and pop
type companies that want the most bang for the buck. That said, most
will spring for a computer or a router, but not both. So the computer
does multiple duty, i.e. firewall, gateway, DNS (master or caching),
mail (postfix as either a front-end to Exchange or standalone) with the
accompanying clamav and spamassasin.
Forgot to put in I personally use an Adtran NetVanta 1224R w/T1 router.
Let me also say the solution I've been running has worked great for
years. The problem is it's getting more and more difficult to find old
PIII and P4 boxes to build out and install. I stay away from the new
systems because of cost and heat. (like JR's, most of the systems end up
in a corner or closet somewhere)
Additionally it's a way to backdoor a Mac into a PC environment. Clients
love the Macbook (2.16Ghz, 2G RAM, Core 2 Duo) I carry, but they are
resistant to change (who isn't). Seems once you get one in, it's that
much easier the next one.
2) If I don't buy OS X Server, what additional software should I look
for from a management perspective.
Depends on what else you want to do with this machine. Can you give
more details?
See above. (Yeah, I've got MacPorts installed, etc.)
Truthfully, Mac OS X Server is probably overkill for most people at
home. Unless you need to do shared homes (Open LDAP, Kerberose Password
Server, et al), you can use the standard client version of Mac OS X for
most common functions (file sharing, http, ftp, DNS, et al) - it's all
built in.
If you have experience using any Mac in the role of headless and/or
unattended server, I'd be interested in the benefit of your advice.
I have a headless Mac mini sitting in my closet. It runs DNS, file
services, a dedicated 24/7 backup server for my entire network, my
world-facing web server, and a bunch of other things. It's a terrific
fit for a headless closet server! Ask if you have any specific
questions.
Thanks, might I email specific questions as I get further into this, JR?
--
Edo ergo sum
.
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