[CentOS] CentOS or other Linux Internet Router/Gateway

[John R Pierce]

> Hi Everyone,
>
> I've got kids who are growing older and I want to build a Linux box to
> filter Internet access. I've got six computers on the Internet, plus
> the laptops -- most run Windows. I'm not sure if it's called a router
> or gateway or...?  I don't mind doing the leg work, I just don't know
> where to start. I'm pretty sure I'm *not* looking for a web server
> (though it might be fun to have a local web) -- I might also use the
> computer for a file server, but I mostly want a... proxy server? Not
> sure what tool I need to use. I seem to remember there were specialty
> Linux distributions for this purpose.
>
> Once I do figure out what kind of box I'm building, would I still be
> able to put my Linksys router behind it, or would the Linux box *be*
> the router? -- and would I have to get a wireless switch instead?
> Would a Pentium III handle this duty, or would it gum up the works and
> make the Internet too slow?
>
> Sorry for stupid questions. At some point I'm going to have to learn
> about Linux servers. I'm hoping this project will help me get started
> on that.
>
>

for what you want, I'd suggest pfSense, which is a FreeBSD Unix based 
firewall.

a P3 would be plenty powerful enough, although I'd want something small 
and very low power, like a MiniITX board such as an Alix 2d2 card.

this system would replace your existing linksys router, although you 
could setup your linksys to act as a wireless gateway on the LAN side.