A new Smoothwall machine is required...

[mycarsavw]

Well, I know VMware ESXi works well on the microserver and Smoothwall offer a WMware image... I haven't done it myself but I can't see why a virtualised smoothwall install won't work.

ESXi works best with 4Gb IIRC?

A VM installation of Smoothwall is possible, works and is supported but, my knowledge of VMs is non-existent. I'd prefer my firewall to be on 'real iron' rather than a VM

I would go with it.....worse case scenario....a £10 SATA card from eBay.

...and n hours of tail chasing

Just waiting to hear back from HP email support on what mobo it uses and whether they can confirm, in writing, DDY's comments above.

I'm still open to DIY suggestions though

[mycarsavw]

HP are still useless, Smoothwall & HEXUS forums are goldmines and a lot of searching has proven that it'll work with a bit of tweaking.

2 Microservers (one for the Smoothwall one for another project) and some upgrades - Purchased!

Thanks for the assistance

[Zak33]

let us know when it's installed and what the IP address is and we'll have a good hard smash on the virtual smoothwall-doors.....

[dave87]

What nics are you going to use for the smoothwall microserver mycarsavw? As I understand it you need one each for WAN LAN and wireless plus dmz if you use it? I.e. three additional ports to the one on board?

[mycarsavw]

Dave, I think my setup is modest compared to most in that I'm only using RED and GREEN NICs

If I knew how to draw pretty network schematics I would

I have a double NATed network.

NAT #1 serves three relatively unrestricted machines operated by more advanced users who run their own protection - firewall/av/etc. They also have full access to NAT #2.

NAT #2 serves the Smoothwall's RED NIC (onboard). The Smoothwall's GREEN NIC (this one) serves the rest of the office (21 IPs made up of 12 users, 3 IP cameras, 2 servers, 2 networked printers and 2 networked copiers).

Good news is that both servers are now up and running. Big thanks to everyone who helped with the selection and my questions, if only HP Support were as useful.

26 hours of work involving restructuring/reassigning everything, starting from the ground up on the new Smoothwall installation and various other tweaks and fixes. My love for this side of my work has been rejuvenated once again.

Zak, you're more than welcome to try and smash my backdoors in, I have to warn you though, 2 failed attempts in an unspecified timeframe and you're gone for good