An article that not only addresses the how factor, but also shows the why factor as well. What in the heck am I talking about? I am referring to setting up a simple Linux firewall. As daunting as it may sounds, it can done with more ease than you might expect.

Joseph Brenner really out did himself with the detail and clarity he has shown with this written work. I also really like the fact that the benefits and issues with specific distributions is addressed here as well. Very well done indeed.

This is an overview of the things I think you need to know if you’re going to try and set up a simple firewall using linux on an old PC (really it’s an excuse for me to whine about the hassles I went through doing this, but I’ve got to get something out of it).

First of all, ask yourself why you’re doing this. You can buy a simple off-the-shelf firewall/router gadget pretty cheap these days, and I hear at least some of them have fairly easy-to-use administration features (e.g. via a web browser). Saving money by using that old PC you’ve got kicking around is unlikely. Acceptable answers include “learning experience” and “insanity”.