Software firewall solutions for a network

[Fleabus]

Hi:

I've been using ZoneAlarm free a while now on a single WinXP HE SP2
system.
Seems to do the job ok. Microsoft's firewall is toggled off.
Connection to my ISP comes via an Alcatel Speed Touch Home external
ADSL modem then a wired Linksys BEFSR41 EtherFast Cable/DSL router
with 4-Port switch. I use the LAN port on an Asus P4T533-C s478/i850e
motherboard.

Things are about to get more complex.

I'm soon going to build/add 2 new systems based on Asus A8N32-SLI
Deluxe nForce4 SLI X16 motherboards and add them to the network.
A new (main) system WinXP Pro SP2.
A new MS MCE 2005 (XP Pro SP2).

I want all three to share the internet connection of course and later
ditto for file sharing.

I know to stay away from/not install nVidia's firewall software.

Does ZoneAlarm free behave well when installed on each of three
systems in a network?

Would using Kerio's free firewall be a better option used this way?

I'd rather use free software but will pay if need be.
Can you suggest a better way to go?

NB. I avoid the use of anything from Symantec or McAfee.

Thanks in advance for any help,

 

[Jack Anderson]

If you are using DSL, the best option you have is to buy a Cable/Dsl router.

I picked up a Netgear DSL/Cable router(refurbished) at CompUSA for $20 and
it works perfectly.

The thing with DSL is that there are different modes, i'm assuming that your
mode on your DSL modem is set to require you to login with a username and
password.
You can change this by connecting to your modem and setting the PPP mode to
be connected at all times so you dont have to log in manually like you would
using dialup.
My speadstream modem's IP is 192.168.0.1, type in the IP in internet
explorer to connect to the modem and adjust settings.
Without a router, you will not get far in networking computers with DSL.
The only other option would be to set up a proxy server on your host
computer and set all the other computers to connect to the host IP and port.
The problem with this is that any internet program that doesn't support
proxy servers would not work.
My advice is to spend $20-$40 and get a cheap dsl/cable router.

As for your questions regarding firewall, I highly recommend using Black
ICE. It is the most popular firewall program.