RE: ADSL

["Des Gibbons" <des@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Simon,

>
> So what is the benefit of a router AND IPCop on a
> dedicated PC (hardware firewall)? Some, none at all?



>
> Can someone describe what the router part actually
> does. From product descriptions on the web it seems a
> router is
>
> ADSL modem + NAT + DHCP + Firewall

not all adsl modem+routers have a firewall built in ;) I would imagine it
is
the NAT part that turns an adsl modem into a modem+router.


>
> Part of my problem is there seems to be the usual
> computer problem of a blurring of terms. You look on
> the web for an ADSL modem and what you get is an ADSL
> router with modem or you look for an ADSL router and
> what you get is the router part only.

fun isn't it ;)

>
> Another question has just occurred to me. How can you
> have an ADSL router without the ADSL modem part? Isn't
> that just a router?

Yes, but it is commonly called a broadband router. (works with cable as
well
as adsl)

>
> I am currently assuming that an IPCop PC will handle
> all the routing/NAT etc.

And a fine job it will do.

>
> There seems to be a large overlap between what the
> router provides and what IPCop provides but I'm not
> sure if the parts where it doesn't overlap are
> critical.

There seem to be very very few adsl modems with ethernet presentation on
the
market.

Your best bet is to get an adsl modem+router+firewall ( as thats what
everyone sells these days) and use ipcop for your firewall. I think you can
turn the firewall off in the vigor products, anyone?

Cheers, Des.