Home network architecture

Hi,

I'm just beginning to think about the configuration options for a new
wireless network at home. I have ~ 6 machines running win32/Linux/Mac
and security is important so probably looking at a SoHo-type of
setup. Types of things I'm looking for:
- Media server. Will be controlled via smartphone client software.
- I'm thinking about taking back control of my email as the amount
personal information accumulating at a public provider is not helping
me sleep. Any recommendations? Any experiences of doing so with
Virtual Private Servers as explained here http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8337?
- Will secure with OpenVPN. Possibly put VPN server behind two NAT
routers in serial, is this needed or any better alternatives?

Any thoughts and/or links to books, articles, groups or blogs that
might help would be much appreciated.

[Cross-posting from uk.comp.home-networking as not getting much
feedback there and I reckon this list would have alot of experience
with this.]

Tia
Chad

On 2007-08-06, (E-Mail Removed) <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I'm just beginning to think about the configuration options for a new
> wireless network at home. I have ~ 6 machines running win32/Linux/Mac
> and security is important so probably looking at a SoHo-type of
> setup. Types of things I'm looking for:
You don't seem to get many responses. Just giving my .02 worth...

> - Media server. Will be controlled via smartphone client software.
No opinion on that. Don't know what you mean by it.

> - I'm thinking about taking back control of my email as the amount
> personal information accumulating at a public provider is not helping
> me sleep. Any recommendations? Any experiences of doing so with
> Virtual Private Servers as explained here http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8337?
What is wrong with POPing the mails from that public provider, to your mail
soft of choice ?

> - Will secure with OpenVPN. Possibly put VPN server behind two NAT
> routers in serial, is this needed or any better alternatives?
Depends on your needs, of course. In many cases ssh might be enough to
connect.
Two NAT servers in serial ? I've never heard that one before. Why?
Don't think it would add much to security.

> [Cross-posting from uk.comp.home-networking as not getting much
> feedback there and I reckon this list would have alot of experience
> with this.]
You might be having a lack of response, because the situation seems a bit
weird. (no offence intended)
You seem to go from a very unsecure (gmail) mail storage, to a solution that
might be seen as a bit extreme. Any reasons?

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