I just got to thursday 's show and it got me thinking, am I the only person who hates these new ...

[G+_610GARAGE]

I just got to thursday's show and it got me thinking, am I the only person who hates these new routers with the "advance features"? The router is the keystone to the network. The more complicated you make it, the more risk of failure and more overhead on the already over taxed cpu. I was just curios if I am the only perinoide one here, or if my fears are based in reality.

 

Granted, I run pfsense. So I'm probably not one to talk. :)

[G+_John Phillips]

Simplicity is good, especially for those nontechnical of us, But there needs to be good (ethical/sensible) defaults!

[G+_Robert Gauld]

Tools for the job. I use pfsense for the features but definitely wouldn't recommend one to my Mum.

[G+_Ben Reese]

I install DD-WRT because of the added features and security. I agree that dedicated hardware may be better (if your router dies, you don't have to completely reconfigure your DHCP settings, Open VPN, etc), but having that all in one package is nice. Pfsense intrigues me, but I try to look at total cost of hardware + energy. For home, its hard to justify. Maybe if my day job was network engineer though...

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

It just depends.  For non-technical people, simpler is better.  I've started using XenServer for my endpoints so I can do firewall, IDS/IPS, proxy, etc, all on their own vm.

[G+_610GARAGE]

Yea, I'm definitely not suggesting everyone run a pfsense box. But I keep seeing these toy routers acting as a nas and I think I've seen some with a printer server (don't quote me on that). If you need that, a separate box would be best. Not only for stability but for security.

 

But I can see the other point. Non tech savy person goes into a store and now has a little nas ability. But is that a good thing? What John Phillips The defaults on these things aren't that secure.

 

Ben Reese If you have a network with more than a few computers, I would highly suggest looking into a pfsense box. Cost may be a bit more, but the only time mine reboots is for an update. Once every 1-2 months. I never have to reboot it because it crashed on me. I just find it rock solid unlike my other experiences.

 

Travis Hershberger You are a brave, brave man. I would be so paranoid about messing up my network connections and sticking my wan on my lan. :)

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

610bob When using XenServer, the only thing you have to be 100% sure on is keeping the management network port on the lan.  If you mess up assigning ports, just reassign.  The added benefits possible by doing that sort of thing are great, but only if you know what you're doing for sure.

[G+_Jason Perry]

I have to agree with you 610bob?, I agree with you so much I hope to have a system like Travis Hershberger? some day when I get off my but. That being said most people should stick with letting their run of the mill router be their dhcp server.

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Jason Perry Let's be honest here, no human being has the need for my custom setup at home and 90+% don't need it at work either.  Stay sane, that "wifi" box is just fine.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Travis Hershberger?, I want it to play with VMs just as much as I want that style setup to play with the servers.