hello,

okay, i have two different ISPs, and two computers. I want the two ISPs be connected to a security enchanced linux and act as a firewall for the second computer, but i dont know which version of linux too choose. Could some1 suggest what should i do, and if i need particular hardware to connect 2 modems with two different ISPs on a single computer.
thank you in advance.

This page shows some of the distros which include SELinux.

BUT, I'm not really sure what it is you're looking for....Do you want a Linux distro which can route traffic, and also act as a software firewall (basically a computer which is a router, instead of having a hardware router). If this is the case, then check out IPCOP and Smoothwall.

The advantage of having a computer instead of a hardware router is that you can perform more advanced security techniques, for example you can set up an IDS and the like.

J_K9

As you said I want a Linux distro which can route traffic, and also act as a software firewall .
I want to be sure that the distro will manage two different DSL modems, so I can benefit from the full bandwidth of the two different ISPs, and if one fall I still have the other...and the second computer fully protected by the firewall
which of SELinux , Smoothwall or IPcop can suit me best ?
Thank you in advance

Errr....benefit from the full bandwidth of two ISPs? I don't think that's possible....unless of course you have two different networks, in which case you would need two computers running Smoothwall/IPCOP. I recommend you go for IPCOP actually, because it may be easier to set up. I don't think you can be connected to two ISPs at once, in fact I'm pretty sure you can't, so if you really want to do that then just set up two networks and have some computers on one, and other computers on the other.

J_K9

argh bad news, i was almost sure i could have two different isps on the same computer.
anyway the advices you provide me are great.
have a nice day

You too! And welcome to LQ!!

J_K9

Greetings.

you can have two (or more) different ISPs connected to the same computer.
you just need a Dual-WAN, Twin-WAN, or Multi-WAN,

most of them will act like standard or enhanced routers/hubs with 'load-balancing' feature,

you are able to have almost full control on your added bandwidths,
controlling through which ISP the data will flow (in/out), what ports the ISPs/Applications can use, at what time,....

do you happen to know a Linux distro that would merge naturally with a multi-WAN or better a Linux distro that can act like a multi-WAN?

Best Regards.

It seems to me that it would be simplest for you to simply purchase, and appropriately configure, one or more "ordinary routers." It rather seems like overkill to me, to dedicate a Linux box to that purpose.

You will need to give some thought to how you want each router to be set up, and what role you want each of them to play with regard to both the internal network and the external networks. You will then need to go into "setup mode" for each router to configure each of them appropriately. But all of this is easily done.

Quote: "Multi-WAN offers you the ability to configure your network to simultaneously connect to the outside world with two (or more) different connections provided by two (or more) different ISP's. The most common reasons to do this are:
Load Balancing ( Allocates traffic across multiple Internet providers / Maximizes bandwidth )
Failover (Automatically detects Internet outages and switches to the backup provider )
Increasing available bandwidth beyond what is offered by a single ISP." Endquote

Well i guess that since some Linux distro act like routers, it is just a matter of time to see a Linux Distro able to manage multiple internet connections, else one is already available.

BTW, what would overkill, would be an enhanced secure portable linux distro on which i could plug and fully manage
a satellite, a Fiber-optic, a DSL, a dial-up, a Wi-Fi, an UMTS and a Power Line connections. *smile*


Regards.