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Re: [LUG] DIY router

 

Interestingly, I run an old Thin Client as my firewall / router...

I'm using pfSense which is BSD rather than Linux, but that's because I was using it 
for another job and got to know it well.

If you're interested, this is the website that got me going in this direction: 
http://parkytowers.me.uk/thin/

My device: http://parkytowers.me.uk/thin/neoware/CA10/index.shtml

I have a separate TP-Link WAP with OpenWRT running on it, connected to the Thin 
Client firewall - this has given me the ability to improve my wifi range, improve 
both my security and my skills (I'm a networking / cyber security engineer)

I'm currently using an old Draytek router as an ADSL modem, but I now have a Draytek 
Vigor 130 modem to use whilst I transition from ADSL to VDSL... that will literally 
me a DSL to TCP/IP converter, with the firewall/router doing all the PPPoE/A work

Cost? Well... TBH, that's lower down the priority scale for me. Sure, it uses more 
electricity than a router, but then, you can't buy a router with the functionality I 
have for the money I paid ...

I can have an isolated guest wifi with a captive portal (like cafà wifi... you need 
"something" before you're allowed access to the internet)

I also have Squid caching proxy server, so my internet "feels" faster (remember I'm 
on *A*DSL at the moment) and I could have automatic Antivirus scanning and URL 
blacklisting (with auto updates) - all in the firewall.

That would set you back Âhundreds if you went to PCWorld - which offsets a good 
couple of years of electricity bills.

A quick look on the interweb shows that a new Draytek 2860 uses ~18W, my thin client 
uses ~30W... so it's not wildly far off


One thing I would definitely recommend though: keep an old "normal" router handy... 
one day, something will go wrong :)


-----Original Message-----
From: list [mailto:list-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gordon Henderson
Sent: 25 April 2016 10:38
To: DCLUG ML <list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [LUG] DIY router

On Sun, 24 Apr 2016, Simon Waters wrote:

> Thanks Gordon,
>
> I'm sick of router crashes, and not having decent packet dumps without 
> reconfiguring, so a Debian box of some sort makes sense.
>
> Agree about WiFi, but no dedicated access points here, and I'll be 
> very annoyed if I reuse the existing router and discover it is the 
> WiFi interface causing the current router to crash.

One of my 3 access points is an old router/modem device. Draytek 2820. I was using 
it as my ADSL modem before the VDSL connection (with wi-fi turned off) I just 
reprovisioned it as an access point. Waste of hardware, but I've no other use for it.

> No GUI, that'll reduce the risk of XSS attacks. Just issuing a DHCP 
> response claiming your host name is <script>blah... with a few 
> comments in will pwn my current router if anyone tries it locally.

Drop me a line offlist if interested in my iptables, etc. setups.

When I checked, the Atom system was using about 15 watts plus the disks which are

=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Model Family:     Western Digital Caviar Green family
Device Model:     WDC WD10EACS-00ZJB0

When I get round to re-doing the setup I may just upgrade the other NAS type box I 
have and not have any real disks in the router.

Gordon

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