[Tfug] Router with VPN

[evorrie at comcast.net]

Tunnel everything over ssh.  Faster and better than VPN.

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Bill M." <beelymagee at cox.net>
> I've been running a Smoothwall.org installation for my firewall system
> facing my Cox cable connection (and Qwest before that, Earthlink before
> that...) I've been doing an SSH connection to the firewall box with
> SOCKS while out using free, open WiFi - works, but have to do config
> changes to proxy for each client application. The older PC running
> Smoothwall is showing its age: hard drive whine, consuming too much
> energy, etc. so I'd like to investigate other options.
> Here's how I've been doing this:
> ssh -D 3456 -p 888 <user>@staticIP-address (port #s changed)
> Sets up a tunnel on the Destination port "3456" using the firewall port
> "888"
> I then tell Firefox network proxy to use 127.0.0.1 Port 3456 in the
> SOCKS config field and all my web traffic goes out to port 3456 to the
> Smoothwall box and then back out to the desired web site. (Same setup
> for Thunderbird.) End result: encrypted WiFi traffic through the SSH
> tunnel and open, in-the-clear leaving the Smoothwall box.
> I'd like to have a much simpler, appliance-like device providing
> system-level connection. My limited understanding is that a VPN
> connection provides encrypted connection for all "client" applications
> with no additional settings in each program. A VPN client on the local
> PC is used to manage connection to the VPN server at home. I want to
> have secure, encrypted connection while surfing in open, unsecure
> environment.
> Can anyone recommend a router with VPN capability that is reasonably
> priced? Plug into Cox cable modem and get rid of old PC running
> Smoothwall. I don't need a router with VPN and built-in wireless - I
> have wireless working with WPA.
> The Linksys/Cisco RVS4000 looks nice, 4x10/100/1000 wired connections,
> SPI firewall, up to 10 VPN connections.
> Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
> 
> -*-Bill
> 
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