I'm planning to set up the office with a linux-based email server (gentoo box running qmail). We're buying a business DSL line. There will be 10 users max. We've been looking at a gateway security appliance (Astaro gateway, for example) but we also need a wireless access point for everyone because we can't run cables.

What are my options for setting up the hardware? What else should I be on the lookout for? Is there anything I'm missing here on the front end of the project regarding ISP access (we have only SBC)? We want secure email and virus protection (most of the clients will be non-technical MS users). I don't want to overkill the solution if I don't have to.

Thanks for any help/suggestions,

Kirk

Not familiar with that device but what I would look for is a device that is divide into two zones. One as a lan zone for office machines and the other as dmz zone for the Internet server machines. That way if any data that comes in goes to the dmz and stays there. Only open ports to the lan if really really really need to. This simplifies work. You only need to keep checkups on the servers. Run an antivirus email scanner on the email server and still run virus and spam protection on each microsoft machine.

Hope this helps
Brian1

Yes, that does help. I've been wondering about putting the email and web server into the DMZ, so thanks for the input. So, I guess the physical layout would be something like the following:

Internet
|
DSL modem
|
Firewall/Gateway
|
DMZ-----------LAN
| |
email/web wireless access point
|
office workstations

Any critiques of the layout?

Thanks,

Kirk