Need prosumer router/firewall/vpn/vlan/nat advice [closed]

Looking for a recommendation on a device (or devices I guess) to do router/firewall/vpn/vlan/nat functons for my home network. Right now, I'm doing this with an IPCop box, but I'd prefer a little less roll-ur-own.

Requirements:

  1. VLANs to segment traffic (damn kids)
  2. Traditional firewall/nat functions like linksys boxes
  3. VPN to home ability so I can use my laptop on the road via a safe pipe
  4. VPN to home from Windows/Macs/Linux machines

I'm thinking of something a step up from the typical blue boxes (or are they sufficient?).


Have you looked into alternative firmware for consumer routers? I know that DD-WRT offers all the features you're asking for. It's free and may be compatible with your existing hardware. Just be aware that the vpn images require routers with a bit more flash.

Other options

  • OpenWRT
  • Tomato may work...not sure if it has the full feature list you're looking for as I don't have any experience with it.

I would highly recommend the Cisco ASA5505. It will do everything that you want including IPS with a AIP-SSC card and 2 POE ports if you get into VOIP. It can be had for around $500.


If you don't mind a bit of basic assembly and setup, I'd highly recommend running pfSense on a PCEngines embedded atom board. Yes, it's still officially a "roll your own" solution, but once installed, all admin tasks are performed through a very nice web interface. pfSense will support all of your 4 requirements with ease.