Can I Build a Computer, Modem, Router, Firewall All in one?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Can I Build a Computer, Modem, Router, Firewall All in one?

Possum

240 posts

Master Geek

#73003 7-Dec-2010 04:36

Hi

Has anyone ever seen a computer that has an ADSL modem and is a firewall router as well.

I know you can add Smoothwall to a computer and use it as a router / firewall. But I would like to add an ADSL modem too. This would make it an all in one, Firewall, Router, Modem and computer.

Just a though..

Thank you..

uDoPage

webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

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#413993 7-Dec-2010 12:43

If you have to ask, probably not. If you have already built a system then probably yes. Your normal modem is already a computer that runs firewall, routing, modulation, QoS and other services so its normally better to buy one off the shelf that has the features you want. PCI modem cards aren't that great (I think they can't vary the power levels properly), so the best way to build your own would be to pickup a Cisco or put monowall onto an existing DSL router

Time to find a new industry!

Bee

732 posts

Ultimate Geek

#414040 7-Dec-2010 14:14

and the point of this would be what?

With a separate PC and adsl router modem everything works fine.

The router can sit near a phone jack and the PC can be anywhere else that is convenient, connected by wireless (or Ethernet cable) The router is a small enough box that it can be located out of the way quite easily...

If the adsl connection is in the PC then the whole PC has to be near and connected to a phone jack. Not that convenient if there is no phone jack in the room the computer is going in or if you want to move it around...

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

Ragnor

8219 posts

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#414058 7-Dec-2010 14:42

Yes you can do it but the computer that is going to be the router/gateway running Smoothwall/pfsense/monowall or whatever flavour of BSD or linux needs a PCI ADSL2+ modem that is supported by linux/bsd.

However these are very hard to come buy these days so a basic modem like the TP Link TD8840 (~$60) doing pppoa half bridge to your router/gateway box is a cheaper easier solution.

Draytek Vigor 120 is another option that does a full pppoa to pppoe bridging.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

Uber Geek

#414077 7-Dec-2010 15:29

Just buy a PC with a big case, and build it as normal, then chuck the modem on the inside, mount it to the side of the case and drill holes on the back panel so it fits in with the rest of the computer and just buy a small ethernet cable, trim it down further, then run it straight from the modem lan out to pc lan in. It might look a bit messy but it still gets what you want done i guess, pluss if you get a modem with wifi and a lan router built in, you can host a lan party from your computer anywhere in the house. Lol

timmmay

20575 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#414108 7-Dec-2010 16:11

Unless you have a really good reason to do this I wouldn't bother. having to turn the main PC on when another PC wants access would be a pita, and it would consume more power than a standard modem/router too.

Possum

240 posts

Master Geek

#414182 7-Dec-2010 18:43

timmmay: Unless you have a really good reason to do this I wouldn't bother. having to turn the main PC on when another PC wants access would be a pita, and it would consume more power than a standard modem/router too.

Its really just a hobby and long term project. It would get me deeper into the Liunx world and hardware. ( I already have done Ubuntu and built up a computer )

I want to get a better understanding of the Internet and the hardware that links to it.

As always many thx to the Geekzone crew.

uDoPage

quandum

204 posts

Master Geek

#414346 7-Dec-2010 22:50

I want to get a better understanding of the Internet and the hardware that links to it.

** shakes head, moves on...good luck.

I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code

#BOFH

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webwat

2036 posts

Uber Geek

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#414377 8-Dec-2010 00:03

You could focus on building a pfSense box that gets its internet from a modem/router thats set to ppp half-bridge, and do lots of cool stuff with the firewall such as monitoring traffic, using a second internet as failover, or whatever else you like. Got me started, although I tried out monowall and a linux firewall.

Another idea would be to build a separate asterisk or YATE box, or even a astfin box with embedded blackfin CPU. You could sell it when you have finished, maybe offer support contract to maintain and secure it for your customer.

Time to find a new industry!

ptinson

677 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#415289 9-Dec-2010 22:04

As said, you can do it, finding PCI cards is the issue.
They are easier to find if you only want ADSL, ADSL2+ is a bit of a mare though.

I have built a number, the first was with sangoma s512 PCI cards and the latest with a viking 4 port solos ADSL2+ card.

The most recent was for specific testing requirements someone had.

The nice thing with the viking cards though is that the interface presented to the OS is an ethernet one so most of your firewall distros dont need to know about the ppp setup or drivers and just work.

Its not cheap though as pointed out but its interesting...

meat popsicle

Possum

240 posts

Master Geek

#415358 10-Dec-2010 07:37

Yes ptinson. My research seems to point at Viking cards as well

Thank you..

uDoPage

andyjd

20 posts

Geek

#415576 10-Dec-2010 15:03

I would buy a modem etc and strip the boards from their cases and mount them inside the PC case, I would even go as far as moving the modem lights so they are visable on the case.

just my 2cents worth

A.

ptinson

677 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#415609 10-Dec-2010 15:38

Depends on what you are wanting to test.
Many things i test tethering is not ideal... But that is just me.

Paul

meat popsicle

Possum

240 posts

Master Geek

#415643 10-Dec-2010 17:44

My end goal is to have a always on computer for server and file transfer reasons.

I already have a Modem/Router which is about 4 watts

I want to put together a Modem/Router/Linuxbox

The WNDR3700 almost does it all. But does not have a modem. Also putting a computer together seems like a fun project.

thx

uDoPage

raytaylor

4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#416179 12-Dec-2010 16:01

I do it and no pesky linux either.

Windows xp pro, a pci adsl modem off trademe ($30) and kerio winroute firewall (free alternatives avaliable)
I think they now call the kerio software something like kerio control.
Anyhow it works awesome.

I sell and lease these boxes to our small business clients for tracking internet usage and as a firewall protecting their networks.

Ray Taylor

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powderedtoastman

26 posts

Geek

#423240 1-Jan-2011 20:50

... Draytek Vigor 120 is another option that does a full pppoa to pppoe bridging.

+1

I use a vigor 120 in PPPoA to PPPoE bridged mode, and it works flawlessly. It's an excellent modem, and the only one I'm aware of which does this protocol translation.