Linux is great as a firewall but only does packet filtering - correct me if 
I'm wrong - I'm sure someone will.
The standard IOS that comes with Cisco routers can only do basic filtering 
(in terms of firewalls), I would recommend using the firewall IOS (the 
extra RAM would be useful) which has some stateful inspection features that 
are more secure.

It also a good idea to have two different firewalls (Linux & Cisco in your 
case) so that if the first line is compromised then the second hopefully 
cannot be compromised by the same method - being of a different brand.

Reams have been written on firewall design and general network security 
design. If you are going to be responsible for the security of your Office 
I would suggest you start reading up!  I hope that doesn't sound rude, it 
wasn't meant to be but keeping up to date on security can be a full-time job!

Good Luck

Graham....



At 10:48 13/04/00 -0700, you wrote:
>we are getting a cisco 2524 router and i have a question about the ios
>firewall software.  if we are going to be using a linux box for the
>firewall, do we really need to buy the ios firewall software too?  we
>usually have other companies supply the firewall when our clients get
>t1's or whatnot, but this one is going to be at the office, and im cisco
>stupid.  its a 2524 modular router w/3 open slots with a fraction/full
>t1 DSU/CSU interface.  it comes with 8mb of ram and i was also wondering
>if we should get an extra 8mb module or just leave it be?  thanks for
>the help.
>--
>---------------------
>Steve Dixon
>Dpn, Incorporated
>System Administrator
>Phone - 702.873.3282
>Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>---------------------


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