(I know theres a word for it..)

Red cable or blue/green cable - both are possible, right?

Using a router yes

Quote from: sdp(I know theres a word for it..)

Red cable or blue/green cable - both are possible, right?

(Image removed from quote.)

5 Stars for ms paint usage!

In a business environment the cable red cable to the server would be the most typical with it acting as a firewall then the blue cable to supposedly supply data to the PCs. The blue green line is more likely in home use or for very small businesses.

You still need the router.modem.firewall.hub

Yeah, remove the green dashed line and get the internet directly from the server. That way the server acts as another barrier between you and the net and means that you dont need to have another device sharing/connecting the network to the modem other than the server

If the net connection was only used for delivering apps and email from remote servers would the green/blue line be better?

The local server being for printers & files.

yes, keep the server more secure

Quote from: sdpIf the net connection was only used for delivering apps and email from remote servers would the green/blue line be better?

The local server being for printers & files.

No, having both a firewall and software protection on the server is best for security. It doesnt take much for serving up files and printers, often printers have their own direct NIC so the server can ignore that if required.

My network doesnt have one but every PC on the network has Zone Alarm on it.

I agree with serious, using the server for network internet access is much safer, i knew a guy who had

modem --> router --> smoothwall box --> server --> main network

every layer makes it harder to break into your network and also requires alot  easier cabling and network structure

Quote from: SweensterI agree with serious, using the server for network internet access is much safer, i knew a guy who had

modem --> router --> smoothwall box --> server --> main network

every layer makes it harder to break into your network and also requires alot  easier cabling and network structure

errrr server for storing files. If you have a router it makes it pretty redundant as far as access to the internet.

What you are suggesting is totally over the top  

Use the router/switch that your using to link the pcs and printers together to send internet to the server (so use the green/blue line).

Designate your server a DMZ if needed.

If your server is storing files the last thing you want is to give it clean access to the internet without NAT before it.

So in short, ignore the majority of the bollocks above.

Use a router with integrated firewall, or a homemade smoothwall affair.

Internet to router (performing NAT at the very least, use port mapping to secure ports if it doesnt have an inbuilt firewall) to pcs and servers and printers.

And serious... if his printers had Ethernet connections I am pretty sure he wouldnt have designated a server to share them. Ethernet connections are not common on home printers, and you will still pay a premium for one on a business printer.

Quote from: brummie

Quote from: SweensterI agree with serious, using the server for network internet access is much safer, i knew a guy who had

modem --> router --> smoothwall box --> server --> main network

every layer makes it harder to break into your network and also requires alot  easier cabling and network structure

errrr server for storing files. If you have a router it makes it pretty redundant as far as access to the internet.

What you are suggesting is totally over the top  

wasnt suggesting.. as i said "i knew a guy who had"