Re: [WinMac] Q: NT as FileServer and FireWall for Macs - need advice.

From: Tim Scoff (casper@nb.net)
Date: Sat Feb 19 2000 - 19:47:22 PST

  • Next message: Leonard Rosenthol: "Re: [WinMac] Q: NT as FileServer and FireWall for Macs - need advice."

            In my opinion they already have a firewall because IP
    Netrouter functions as a very effective firewall if they're sharing
    one IP address.
            A P-150 will meet their needs as a file server also. I would
    suggest that they go with 100 base T instead of 10 base T because of
    the size of the files, but other than that they're fine.

            If you still feel that they need a dedicated firewall I
    suggest http://www.sonicwall.com/ It's what I have and it works very
    well.

    >Long-time reader - haven't posted in awhile.
    >
    >Ok.... I need some advice. I'm very familiar with Macs and Macs with NT, but
    >I usually have the luxury of having up-to-date and powerful systems to work
    >with. Here the scenario, and I'll follow with some specific questions:
    >
    >A small office with an old PC laptop for admin, a B/W G3/300, and an
    >8600/300. They connect to the internet using 256kb/s DSL currently, and have
    >no fileserver or firewall. IP routing is done by Sustainable Software's
    >IPNetRouter on the G3. They have an unmanaged, shared 10MB Ethernet network
    >(not switched).
    >
    >They were recently given an old used Compaq Prosignia 500 - it's a 150MHz
    >Pentium/MMX with 64MB RAM and two 4GB disks. They want to use it for a File
    >Server. (I can get the BIOS up to date and load NT4/SP6 w/hot fixes no
    >problem, and load Apple Services.) I'm recommending adding a QiC tape drive
    >and Retrospect Server for NT to do backups.
    >
    >Honestly my feeling is that this system is TOO SLOW to be an effective
    >FileServer for this environment. They have about 5GB live data total, but
    >many files in the 50-200MB range that they'll want to store on the server,
    >then move to their Macs to be worked. ANYONE CARE TO OFFER THEIR OPINION ON
    >THIS CONFIG?
    >
    >Also, with NT on their network, I feel they MUST HAVE FireWall software. It
    >seems logical, since the NT box is the only dedicated server (and the only
    >non production system), that the FireWall run their. That means using IP
    >routing on the NT server as well, and then adding FireWall software.
    >
    >I need recommendations on FireWall software that is affordable for a small
    >office like this ... I'm more familiar with the high-price Enterprise level
    >stuff.
    >
    >And again ... I think that poor old PC is too slow to be a file server, IP
    >router and Firewall ... ANYONE CARE TO OFFER THEIR OPINION.
    >
    >They are totally non-tech. I've considered putting Linux/NetaTalk/Samba on
    >this system, but I'm concerned about the complexity. At least with NT they
    >could look at the screen, and be walked through things on the phone in case
    >of problems ..
    >
    >TIA.
    >
    >---
    >Phillip Corchary
    >http://www.macostech.com
    >General Mac Wizardry
    >
    >
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    Tim Scoff
    tim@scoff.net
    http://www.scoff.net/Tim
    (412) 422-5242
    Pager - (412) 602-7738

    Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. The world's only fully buzzword compliant
    Operating System.

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