ADSL2+ router with good, highly-configurable hardware firewall

[pctechxp]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a really good ADSL2+ router with a highly-configurable hardware firewall so that I can only open the ports I need to make the other ones 'stealth' and set traffic direction (inbound/outbond)

I ideally want to be able to do away with the software firewall running on the PC thus freeing up the resources used by the process.

Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated.

pctechxp

[Splash]

My Vigor 2600 is pretty decent, but you'd still want an application aware firewall on clients...

[dave87]

NAT and Windows Firewall is fine for most people, unless some users have a habit of installing untrusted software...

[Splash]

Yep, but as I say a layered approach is better than a "one size fits all" approach - your hardware firewall is not going to be application aware, and as such not running a software firewall on the client simply because you have a good hardware firewall is (in my opinion) a bad move.

Also the Vigor 2600 is NOT ADSL2+, you'd need a 2800 for that (before anyone else corrects me!)

[Zak33]

Draytek Vigor, simply for the customer support and awesomeness

[pctechxp]

Cheers all

The Draytek 2800V appears to be just the job, think I'm going to order one.

I only run, good quality, legit software and def no P2P rubbish so am intending to lock down all but 5 or 6 ports for browsing, mail and counter-strike

The aim is to be able to do away with my client based firewall and I don't fancy leaving my online security to MS, well not as a first line of defence anyway.

Thanks again

pctechxp

[Splash]

Again, in terms of security a layered approach is best. Regardless of what software you have installed it's worth running something to at least check outbound connections

[[GSV]Myocardial]

Cheers all
The aim is to be able to do away with my client based firewall and I don't fancy leaving my online security to MS, well not as a first line of defence anyway.

As Splash said a layered approach is best. Keeping MS firewall as well as having the hardware firewall in your router is best or grab someone elses firewall product if you don't trust MS.

The hardware firewall will stop you from external inbound attacks/risks while the internal outbound would be protected by client side firewall and virus software. If you do get a virus a hardware firewall will not necessarily stop any outgoing connection.

Well thats what my reading has informed me so far.

[pctechxp]

Hi All

Just to let you know I ended up going for a Netgear RangeMax DG834N as it was cheaper than the Vigor and quite a few of my colleagues swear by them too.

rock solid connection and all ports are now stealth according to Shields Up!

Very pleased

[j1979]

the billion bipac 7300 is very good it lets you block mac addresses, see the ip addresses, mac addresses and computer names of all wireless and ethernet computers that are using your router. I lets you configure how much bandwidth to give to each computer (lan to wan or wan to lan). it lets you block urls and certain types of packets. Its very good if you share a connection with someone who uses file sharing software as you can limit their bandwidth. its resonably priced to £40 and is adsl2+.