TechImpact / it happens there first

After my harrowing adventure trying to buy a router, I decided to look at my free options.

We currently run CentOS as the core of our VoIP system, so I have a linux system that gets exposed to the internet -- I rationalized. So how bad would it be to pop another Ethernet card in the back and use that as a router as well. It would mean that I would never have problems with SIP over NAT again. So I went forth to purchase the card at CDW. Added the first one I found to my cart, then went to click the check out button. But the forces of the universe were against me. Just before I clicked that fated button, my laptop ran out of battery. It was destiny, fate, and didn't really happen. No, it was my own conscience that prevented me from putting a production server as a first tier internet client, even if it was Linux. No, there had to be a better solution -- and buying a complete pc to use as a firewall wasn't it.

by Chris Gamble

Every company you run across these days are cutting costs, and where I work is no different. So when we lost routers at two locations, I set to the task of replacing those routers, without sacrificing any of our CEO Bonus money. Fortunately, we work with a few larger companies that had over purchased (or recently closed) some of their branch offices. Routers were plentiful. The choice wasn't whether I could find a router to barter for, but which brand I wanted. It felt better than shopping at Wal-mart... ..

by Chris Gamble

VPN's and all of their remote connectivity glory, are usually as much thumb tacks and bailing wire as they are a real solution. There are more products and protocols out there than there are vpn users. Everything from pptp (well known for its insecurity) to ipsec with Cisco's industry standard intrusive installation. Of course, if you just want a simple way for your users to access the network from anywhere, there is only 1 good solution I have found: Adito VPN.

by Chris Gamble