Software/Hardware firewall recommendations

[fmalgapo]

My company has a new site consisting of 5 PCs connected to a cable modem.

I'm looking to protect their LAN with a hardware and/or software firewall. Something easy to administer and inexpensive but effective. So far my ideas for a software firewall are Zonealarm Pro, hardware firewall perhaps a Netscreen 5?

Also any recommendations on how to set it up to be very effective would be appreciated.

 

[mrbobo]

Clackconnect

google.com

 

[Boscoh]

Define 'inexpesive.'

Off the top of my head...a Linux firewall distro, SnapGear, SonicWall.

 

[fmalgapo]

Inexpensive as in a good value/effective. A device or piece of software that is good enough to protect only 5-6 PCs on a LAN.

 

[[H]EMI_426]

FreeBSD box with two NICs. Works great for my ten or twelve PCs at home.

 

[draconius]

yep a vote here for either
a) if you are n00b to linux/unix, http://clarkconnect.org , or other small linux based firewall/router distro's (smoothwall, m0n0wall, coyote linux, etc)

b) if you are decent with *BSD, then try freebsd with IPF/IPNAT or IPFW/NATD

I have links and tutorials to all of these things on my site http://www.unixforums.net

 

[shade91]

There's IPCop, Clarkconnect, etc. For a small business or a SOHO LAN you can't beat the price (free). There's another new one (I forget the name) that is built off FreeBSD. It's a diskless firewall (requires just a floppy drive). I'll post the URL once I find it.

Another awesome tool for small businesses: http://www.sql-ledger.org - I know the thread isn't for this but it is an awesome tool for a small business .

EDIT: Here's the URL for the diskless one I mentioned:

http://www.m0n0.ch/wall/

It's called m0n0wall.