Smoothwall Express

**serverguy** · #1 10th May 2008, 04:39 AM

Any Smoothwall Express users on here?

For anyone who doesn't know what it is, it is basically a Linux OS designed to run as a router / firewall on an old PC. It is as powerful as many very expensive Cisco like routers.

I have been using it for the last year now after getting shot of the useless BT Home Hub. It is hugely reliable and much more stable than most other routers.

It means your computer runs faster because you can get rid of the software firewall as everything is filtered before it gets to the PCs.

It also runs as a DNS server and caching server so frequent visit pages are available locally and DNS lookup times are faster.

The firewall is very powerful on it and blocks out much more attacks then most home routers.

There are also hundreds of add ins: content filters, add blockers, VPN facilities, mail scanners etc.

For anyone with an old PC and a bit of time I highly reccomend having a look at it.

**Spencer2004** · #2 15th May 2008, 05:47 AM

omg this sounds good, ty 4 sharing

**CrazyComputerMan** · #3 15th May 2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Spencer2004

omg this sounds good, ty 4 sharing

Does this software can installed to router or some router, I have Hi-speed ADSL Belkin router and three of computer use Windows Firewall and my mum complaining that she think our neighbours is interrupting our router, I would like to give this as a try :)

**Spencer2004** · #4 16th May 2008, 04:09 AM

how does a computer function as a router anyway? do you need a load of network cards or do you only need one for input, one for output and a switch or hub to allow more connections?

**serverguy** · #5 16th May 2008, 08:56 AM

Basically you need to have an old computer, a modem to make the connection to your phone line and a switch to connect the rest of the computers together.

You plug the phone line into the modem (I use a D-Link 300T) and then an ethernet cable goes from modem to 1 ethernet card in the old computer (from now on referred to as the Smoothwall)

In the old computer you need to have two cards, so as another cable can go to your existing switch or router with all routing capabilities turned off. The DHCP, DNS etc are handled by the Smoothwall.

The Smoothwall basically replaces your current router and gives you a whole lot more options.

I cannot see how it would help with your neighbors stealing your connection, thats just down to having an unsecured wireless network. They won't have access to it if you have WPA encryption and a decent pass phrase (like 7chy56lo08d)

You don't need loads of networking stuff but you do need to know a bit about Linux in the terminal and IP Addressing, Subnets etc

Before either of you go any further I suggest you visit the Smoothwall Express website and read everything you can until you understand it.

**CrazyComputerMan** · #6 16th May 2008, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by serverguy

Basically you need to have an old computer, a modem to make the connection to your phone line and a switch to connect the rest of the computers together.

You plug the phone line into the modem (I use a D-Link 300T) and then an ethernet cable goes from modem to 1 ethernet card in the old computer (from now on referred to as the Smoothwall)

In the old computer you need to have two cards, so as another cable can go to your existing switch or router with all routing capabilities turned off. The DHCP, DNS etc are handled by the Smoothwall.

The Smoothwall basically replaces your current router and gives you a whole lot more options.

I cannot see how it would help with your neighbors stealing your connection, thats just down to having an unsecured wireless network. They won't have access to it if you have WPA encryption and a decent pass phrase (like 7chy56lo08d)

You don't need loads of networking stuff but you do need to know a bit about Linux in the terminal and IP Addressing, Subnets etc

Before either of you go any further I suggest you visit the Smoothwall Express website and read everything you can until you understand it.

Bit too expert for me, The nearest to wireless router is my dad's hi-spec PC... I did built his PC and it's was AWFUL!

2gb RAM
1GB graphic
XP home
Asrock motherboard

blah
blah

**Spencer2004** · #7 20th May 2008, 01:28 PM

interesting... this could be exactly what i need. you see my router has restrictive nat stuck on and i cant be arsed to buy another one so i assume this will solve my problem. thanks again for this info!!

**serverguy** · #8 20th May 2008, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Spencer2004

interesting... this could be exactly what i need. you see my router has restrictive nat stuck on and i cant be arsed to buy another one so i assume this will solve my problem. thanks again for this info!!

If you can get hold of an old box I would just install it and play around. It really isn't that hard to install and the forums are very helpful over at www.smoothwall.org

Much much better than any 'home' router you could buy and better than many £300 routers.

**CrazyComputerMan** · #9 20th May 2008, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by serverguy

If you can get hold of an old box I would just install it and play around. It really isn't that hard to install and the forums are very helpful over at www.smoothwall.org

Much much better than any 'home' router you could buy and better than many £300 routers.

Allright Im interested to make it, Which O.S does it need?

You say i need 2 card, does it means phone card and ethernet card?

Thanks!

**serverguy** · #10 21st May 2008, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by CrazyComputerMan

Allright Im interested to make it, Which O.S does it need?

You say i need 2 card, does it means phone card and ethernet card?

Thanks!

CCM, you really need to do some things for yourself. Have you even been to the Smoothwall website? Register and read the manuals. That'll explain a lot.

I also suggest you actually find out what a firewall is, and then you can answer your own questions about what sort of card it needs. IT depends on how you want to connect to your modem and what the modem allows.

Smoothwall is a Linux distribution, it is the OS. Thats why it is secure.

I don't mean to sound harsh, and will gladly answer more specific questions, but if you don't know this stuff then I think there is no chance of you getting it working.

But you can if you are prepared to read and learn until you know everything. Every time you come across something you don't know about or understand, Google it. You will soon be a network expert.

**CrazyComputerMan** · #11 21st May 2008, 10:15 AM

I am training at ICT Level 3 and i know what Firewall is, Firewall means stop hacker to access to your PC, Also im am making the network cables.

I am very sorry but in other forum, we have asked the question and other member is glad to help it. I gotta learn different from the forum style. :)

**serverguy** · #12 21st May 2008, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by CrazyComputerMan

I am very sorry but in other forum, we have asked the question and other member is glad to help it. I gotta learn different from the forum style. :)

No. I am very happy to answer all the questions you have, in fact I enjoy helping people like yourself accomplish things that you might not consider or be able to do otherwise. I have no doubt that you are capable and am sure with a little help you could get a Smoothwall set up.

Its just that many of the more basic questions are answered in the manual or on the forums. They can explain things to begin with a lot simpler than I can.

Here are the links to the Smoothwall Manuals if you want to have a look at them:

1MB | PDF | SmoothWall Express 3.0 Installation Guide »
4MB | PDF | SmoothWall Express 3.0 Administrator Guide »

The forums are here:
http://community.smoothwall.org/forum/

What ISP currently supplies your Broadband Access? Then we can work out what you need to get.

**CrazyComputerMan** · #13 22nd May 2008, 01:45 AM

BT Yahoo Broadband

**serverguy** · #14 22nd May 2008, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by CrazyComputerMan

BT Yahoo Broadband

OK, I have had a Smoothwall working with them before. What modem / router do you have at the moment?

**CrazyComputerMan** · #15 22nd May 2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by serverguy

OK, I have had a Smoothwall working with them before. What modem / router do you have at the moment?

Belkin Hi-Speed ADSL Router 128Mbps Wireless

Just extra info.. We use G+ Card to connect to this router