[TriLUG] local wifi router

[Ron Kelley]

If you have an old PC sitting at home with 2 NICs, you can easily install pfSense (open-source firewall) and get the functionality you need.  I use it all the time on low-end to high-end servers with excellent results.  I do a combination of port forwarding, NAT'ing, DMZ/Production networks, IPSEC/VPN support, etc.   It has a great web interface that is very easy to use.



Thanks,

-----------------------------
Ron Kelley
rkelleyrtp at gmail.com

On Feb 20, 2012, at 1:44 PM, Paul G. Szabady wrote:

> I currently use a Draytek router and have been experiencing both lockups as well has limitations with port forwarding.  So I am also looking for a new router.  Since seeing this thread, I've started to once again consider OpenWRT (or tomato, etc).  But I have a question (or more) about the TPLink WR1043ND.
> 
> According to the TPLink manual (http://www.tp-link.com/resources/software//de/de_201081311270414.pdf), I see that it can handle standard port forwarding (ie: port 22 to port 22, port 80 to port 80, etc), but I don't see an option to for redirecting ports.  I need to be able to forward non-std ports to std ports.  (ie: port 2001 to machine1 port 22, port 2002 to machine2 port 22, etc...)
> 
> Does anyone know if any of the open source firmware is better (faster and more stable) than another?  It looks like tomato will do what I need.  Assuming it (or another) does what I need, does anyone know if there are any limitations to the number of connections?  If so, how many?
> 
> Note: I realize that the more there are the bigger performance hit I'll take.  But most of what I am doing will be in VMs and not all systems will be up at the same time.  So I'm mainly interested in begin able to set up access to 10-12 machines, but typically only use 2-3 VMs at a time.
> 
> Would anyone with experience with NAT and small routers have an opinion or suggestion regarding this or another router?  Lastly, I really like the Gig connections on the LAN and WAN.  Especially since I periodically route lots of data (30-40GB) from one internal network to another (Don't ask - long story).
> 
> Thank in advance!
> 
> --
> Paul
> @ Thy Service
> 
> On 2/20/2012 12:26 PM, jason tower wrote:
>> i got the WR1043ND although like i said i haven't reflashed it (yet)
>> 
>> On 02/20/2012 08:29 AM, Derek Linz wrote:
>>> The ones we stock at Intrex use ath9k, 100% open source firmware
>>> and driver. Both (WR841ND and WR1043ND) work (well) with OpenWRT,
>>> though the 841 can barely squeeze the essentials in.
>>> 
>>> -Derek Linz
>>> 
>>> On Sunday, February 19, 2012 05:10:22 PM Bill Farrow wrote:
>>>> On Sun, Feb 19, 2012 at 4:58 PM, Igor Partola
>>> <igor at igorpartola.com> wrote:
>>>>> I have seen many recommendations for TP-Link routers and
>>> assurance that
>>>>> they work well with DD-WRT. Personally, I've stayed with the safer
>>> choices
>>>>> of Linksys and Buffalo and have been happy with those.
>>>> 
>>>> Just be aware that dd-wrt compatible does not mean that the router
>>> has
>>>> open source drivers even if it does run linux. The dd-wrt firmware
>>>> typically uses closed source, binary only, drivers for the wireless
>>>> and ethernet switches, and these drivers only work with very specific
>>>> and out of date kernel versions. So if you want the flexibility of
>>>> upgrading it again in the future, or trying out some of the newer
>>>> kernel facilities, find a router that is supported by OpenWRT.
>>>> 
>>>> Bill
> -- 
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