How can I provide internet access to my small network?

What is the current "best practice" for setting up a small network for
Internet access?

We need all of the clients to access the Internet and send and receive
emails. We are not publishing a web server.

Currently we have 9 workstations and servers that are all sharing cable
acccess. The internet connection comes in to a "cable modem". A cat 5 cable
goes from the cable modem into a NIC on a multihomed server (i.e., it has 2
NICs) running ISA server. A cat 5 cable goes out from the other NIC to a
switch to which all the other 8 boxes connect. All of these 8 boxes use the
NIC on the multihomed server as their default gateway and they run an ISA or
Proxy client.

This works fine but the multihomed box is old and needs to be replaced.

I don't want to replac it with a new box. I think I can just use some sort
of router but I'm not sure what type or how it should be set up. Also, I am
concerned about security. How would I implement the fireway protection of
ISA server if I use a router?

What type of router should I use? Is there a Linksys product available? And
do all of the 8 workstations have to connect to the router or do I simply
connect the router to my switch?

Thanks in adavance for any guidance you can provide.
Dave

You have a pretty secure setup as it is. ISA is more fully-feature than
RRAS. Why not build up a new box off-line with the current settings your
ISA server and then just replace when ready?

--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows Server 2003/2000/NT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.

I'm thinking its cheaper and simpler to maintain. I can eliminate one box
and an ISA server license.

What does a basic router cost?


"Todd J Heron" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> You have a pretty secure setup as it is. ISA is more fully-feature than
> RRAS. Why not build up a new box off-line with the current settings your
> ISA server and then just replace when ready?
>
> --
> Todd J Heron, MCSE
> Windows Server 2003/2000/NT
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.
>

>What does a basic router cost?

About $60-$100 if you go to your local computer store and look at NetGEAR
and Linksys offerings.

--
Todd J Heron, MCSE
Windows Server 2003/2000/NT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 16:27:25 -0800, "Dave" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I'm thinking its cheaper and simpler to maintain. I can eliminate one box
>and an ISA server license.

Not if you want to keep using ISA.

>What does a basic router cost?

Google for "cable router" and check. By eliminating ISA you're
eliminating a proxy server, and getting a less configurable firewall
in the process. Make sure that's what you want. If not, look for
SOHO firewalls such as those from SonicWall.

Jeff

>"Todd J Heron" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> You have a pretty secure setup as it is. ISA is more fully-feature than
>> RRAS. Why not build up a new box off-line with the current settings your
>> ISA server and then just replace when ready?
>>
>> --
>> Todd J Heron, MCSE
>> Windows Server 2003/2000/NT
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------