e> From: JimmyH 
 e> Subject: Re: CableModems
 e> Reply-To: os2hardware{at}yahoogroups.com

 e> Hello Kevin
 e>   I bought a Toshiba PCX1100 Cable Modem with which I am very happy as 
 e> it has both ethernet and USB connections available which should cover 
 e> the forseeable future.  In regards to firewalls/routers as Felix 
 e> mentioned they are quite reasonable now at under 
 e> $100 US in many cases. 
 e>  However if you are a DIY kinda guy allow me to 
 e> recommend a very cheap, 
 e> extremely secure and highly versatile method that can utilize even an 
 e> old 486 box.  You can download for FREE the Freesco software which is 
 e> basically Free-Cisco inder the zipslack operating 
 e> system which fits on a 
 e> floppy.  However it is most useful if you install it 
 e> via the "move2hdd" 
 e> command to a small drive so you can install packages like 
 e> portforwarding, OpenSSH, various gui's etc.  This method gives you a 
 e> neat Control Panel accessed through your browser that allows you to 
 e> entirely control the network even if you were to have many PCs or 
 e> workstations connected.  It is amazingly secure 
 e> because you control what 
 e> is possible on it as it starts off with just the basics required to do 
 e> the job of routing ( whether modem, com port, 
 e> ethernet... whatever ) and 
 e> can be upgraded easily as new stuff comes out for NAT firewalling etc. 
 e>  I ran it in floppy mode for months with no problems whatever but 
 e> changed to the hdd install to get handier control over ports, etc. 
 e>  Highly recommended for project oriented people who insist on total 
 e> control or just hate throwing away old "useless" PCs.
 e> Jimmy


 e> Kevin Johnson wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I would like to stay with an external device, and I 
>want to own my own 
>cable modem. I guess
>there must be Serial, Parallel, and USB devices. I use ECSv1, WinXP, 
>WinMe, so which device
>is preferable, source and $. If internal I would only have PCI slots 
>available.
>
>Software? and do I need a firewall?
>
>Thanks
> 
>Kevin J.
>  
>
           please post the url where we may download the  "freesco" from??
      
       
                       thankyou in advance!
 

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