Regarding using a computer solely as a firewall and
for network address translation, you could get one
very cheaply from electronicrecycling.ie or maybe one
of the freecycle groups (
http://www.freecycle.org/display.php?region=International#Ireland
) - there's a lot of PCs being offered on the Leinster
group. Seeing as you wouldn't even need a monitor,
keyboard or mouse (..at least after the installation -
just ssh into the box) I think (though I could be
wrong - I'm not familiar with the prices) that it
would work out almost as cheap as buying a router.
Plus, at least with using a Linux-based gateway, if
you decide to add a (lightweight) web or mail server
to your setup somewhere down the line, you can use
your gateway computer for this also (..maybe I'll be
scolded for suggesting that though. Anyway ...)
HTH
P.S. You'll need a crossover cable as well I think -
you can grab one of those in Maplin (near the ILAC
centre)
--
David Collins
http://83.141.72.40/~david/
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