Picking a Gateway: Router or Mac OSX Server
I'm planning on implementing Leopard Server at my business in the near term. It will be running on a PowerMac G5, and primarily used for file sharing amongst a team of about 10 employees. I also will use the VPN capabilities to access the network from home, and will take advantage of things like iChat, Wikis, and Print Serving over time.
The documentation describes using the Mac as a gateway through the installation of dual ethernet cards. Alternatively, I could continue to use my linksys router as a gateway. I didn't find much qualitative discussion on how to pick between the options. In general, I'd like some advice on whether to run services such a DCHP, VPN, etc... on the router or the OSX server.
Any suggestions on how to make the decision?
Thanks,
Raja Singh
Red House Studios
Walnut Creek, CA
Hi
I echo Leif’s suggestions although you could change your router for a ZyXel one which does offer true NAT/SPI Firewall capabilities and has a wealth of logging features and notification if security is a concern. There are others. I am not affiliated with ZyXel in any way.
Ultimately it would depend on the type of broadband connection you have. I prefer to use OSX Server for routing and NAT if its a cable modem broadband service. You would not need to install a gigabit NIC, a standard 10/100 NIC would do. The RTL8139 chipset is supported by 10.3 or above without the need for a driver to be installed and they are cheap. If you have an oldish PC lying around with a 3rd party PCI NIC installed odds are it will be the RTL8139 chipset, use that. You could use this NIC for the WAN connection and the built-in gigabit NIC for the LAN. If the broadband service is down the phone-line then a ZyXel 662H (or HW) Router would be a better bet in my opinion.
As for qualitative discussion on how to pick between the options? These forums are full of such opinions and advice in response to posts such as yours. Ultimately its up to you.
Tony
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