SIFY- Is the Firewall PC necessary

[Bubu]

Hi

This is the layout at my Business associate's place, this is how all the things are connected, now what has been circling me for quite a few months is what is the purpose of the PC connected between the switches, what does it do ?? why did the engineer install Redhat linux instead of Windows. My BA has no idea about it,the engineer named it Firewall PC. Now what is it and is it really necessary in the setup.http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1851/sifypv7.gif

 

[Sushubh]

maybe its running a firewall/antivirus and antispyware system to prevent attacks on your regular machines?

 

[amish]

yes with sify its necessary. may be not if u have MTNL, as ADSL router (PPPoE mode) will take care of it.

 

[netfreak]

I think using a PC is a bit too much. A simple router (with NAT) will do just fine for just sharing internet connection among PCs. With a dedicated PC, you can do things like transparent proxy (e.g. Squid) and you can limit Internet usage based on End User or MAC ID of LAN card.