Bootable CD w/OS for firewall

[david at thekramers.net (David Kramer)]

Bob Gorman wrote, On 09/16/2004 07:03 PM:
> At 02:14 PM 9/15/2004, Drew Taylor wrote:
> 
>> I like the idea of a low-power, fanless machine rather than an full blown
>> PC.
> 
> 
> This got me thinking, so I did a quick surf on newegg and it appears that
> one can put together a low-end small-form-factor box (Shuttle) with three
> NICs for about $300?  Not exactly fan-less, but it would be cute and small,
> and should make a great router.

1) Look closely at what comes with those Shuttle boxes.  They are more 
bare-bones in that price range than most people think.

2) They are far from quiet.  Smaller chassis means the fans have to work 
harder to remove heat.  I have a friend who bought one because she thought 
they were cute.

For $300, though, you could pick up an old slow laptop and some PCMCIA NICs. 
That would run cool and quiet, be small, and draw less power.  And if you lost 
power, it would keep on running.  Make one of the cards WiFi and you have an 
access point, too.

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