On Thu, 2 Mar 2006 09:00:28 -0000, "Mike Lloyd-Jones" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Hi
>Not strictly related to XP, but maybe someone can help ?
>
>Have a Netgear DSL modem/router with a DMZ port.
>LAN side of the router has a number of XP PCs.
>We want to connect a PC to the router so it is publicly accessible to the
>Internet for customers to download files.
>
>Guess we have 2 options:
>
>1) Port forwarding to allow FTP or whatever through, directed to that PC.
>Problem here is that since the PC is still connected to the LAN this opens
>up a potential security risk to the rest of the network
You are correct. NAT routers are great security when all that you do is surf
the Internet. When you need to run an Internet server from a NAT router LAN,
you have to open a hole in the router, and this will indeed expose your LAN.
>2) Connect the PC to the DMZ port on the router. This keeps it secure, but
>we still need to be able to copy files to this from the LAN side (for
>customers to download). Can a route generally be configured from the LAN to
>the DMZ which is "one-way" so that we can copy files up to DMZ computer but
>no access the other way?
On most NAT routers (and here the model of the Netgear might be useful) the
"DMZ" is really just a virtual server port, protected by the firewall components
(if your router has any such), and connected openly to the rest of the LAN. No
routing or firewall rules are necessary, or are possible.
In most domestic DSL LANs, you will find it best to host any server offsite.
# Security, as noted above, is not easily done with a typical DSL modem /
router.
# Asynchronous DSL, which is what most DSL is, provides for most bandwidth to
support surfing of the Internet (downward bandwidth). What little bandwidth in
the other direction (upward) is generally taken up by surfing, and if any
surfing is going on the upward bandwidth (which is what your customers will
depend upon for their downloads) is unlikely to be available in any reliable
amount.
# Some DSL services explicitly prohibit servers for this reason.
In short, you can connect a server to your modem / router. Depending upon the
model, you may or may not be able to do this without exposing your LAN.
--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.