For all you (home) networking geeks

[TechMan]

http://www.neowin.net/news/cisco-locks-users-out-of-their-routers-requires-invasive-cloud-service

Cisco's new routers force you to register with their cloud service.  If you don't you can wind up with a bricked device.


Not like they are going to monitor your traffic....

Their updated privacy policy states:

When you use the Service, we may keep track of certain information related to your use of the Service, including but not limited to the status and health of your network and networked products; which apps relating to the Service you are using; which features you are using within the Service infrastructure; network traffic (e.g., megabytes per hour); internet history; how frequently you encounter errors on the Service system and other related information (“Other Information”).

[BryanP]

Yeah, I read about this on Slashdot. I'm currently running a cheap Cisco/Linksys at home, and it happens to be one that won't take an aftermarket firmware like DDWRT.  I'm reading up on what to replace it with now.

[Ben]

That stinks. Linksys has generally been my router of choice. Though for the last couple of years I've been running a Cradlepoint router to take advantage of the additional 3G/4G capability (Plus they are very configurable).

I'm getting tired of the industry going to this whole "service bundling" model. If I wanted the integration and intrusiveness, I'd be using Apple services. Google is getting really bad with this stuff too. At least right now we have the choice to use hardware and services that don't do this, but it's a little scary to contemplate this becoming an industry standard.

I suppose it would create a profitable black market in older routers though. :)

[birdman]

Whups, time to build a low cost Linux box as a combined server/router/firewall.

[GigaBuist]

I'm still pretty happy with my cheap Asus routers and DD-WRT on them.

[RevDisk]

Whups, time to build a low cost Linux box as a combined server/router/firewall.

Ayep. Thankfully, there is plenty of good micro-form PC's out there. 

I knew Cisco would go this way when they bought out Linksys. Hopefully someone comes up with a router that doesn't spy on you.

[mtnbkr]

My concern is when this sort of stuff starts appearing in multi-function devices such as my FIOS router/"modem".  I don't have to use the FW functions, but if Verizon decides to snoop, I won't have an alternative device.

As for replacement routers, what about building a linux system in a VM and using that instead of a discrete box?  I suspect most people have enough spare cycles on their desktop to support this.  Just not sure how well it would work as a router.  Might have to add ethernet adapters...

There's also stuff like Raspberry Pi.  I have one, it seems to run Linux well enough, but it only has one native ethernet interface.  You could probably assign subinterfaces to the physical, but I don't know how well that would work on such a low-powered device. 

Chris

[lee n. field]

Whups, time to build a low cost Linux box as a combined server/router/firewall.

http://www.smoothwall.org/.  Canned router appliance software.  I used it years back (as the easiest way to set up a shared dialup, when I refused to use Windows), don't know what it's like now.

[mtnbkr]

Interesting.  Thanks Lee.

Chris

[RevDisk]

My concern is when this sort of stuff starts appearing in multi-function devices such as my FIOS router/"modem".  I don't have to use the FW functions, but if Verizon decides to snoop, I won't have an alternative device.

As for replacement routers, what about building a linux system in a VM and using that instead of a discrete box?  I suspect most people have enough spare cycles on their desktop to support this.  Just not sure how well it would work as a router.  Might have to add ethernet adapters...

There's also stuff like Raspberry Pi.  I have one, it seems to run Linux well enough, but it only has one native ethernet interface.  You could probably assign subinterfaces to the physical, but I don't know how well that would work on such a low-powered device. 

Chris

USB ethernet cables. Maybe $5 a pop. Handy when you have VM's on five different networks, or don't want any possibility of your host having connectivity.

There are ready made router "appliances" for most/all virtualization platforms. ClearOS is a favorite, but you really could just use a stock Linux or BSD install.

[rcnixon]

I use a standard Cisco 871 SOHO router/WAP at home.  It's a bit obsolete but the price was right (free).  On the other hand, I have been a network engineer specializing in Cisco stuff for twenty years and configuring it was easy.  I don't recommend going this route (pun?) for the ordinary consumer.  Netgear or one of the other consumer products will be a better choice.

Russ

[birdman]

As for replacement routers, what about building a linux system in a VM and using that instead of a discrete box?  I suspect most people have enough spare cycles on their desktop to support this.  Just not sure how well it would work as a router.  Might have to add ethernet adapters...

I have more than enough capability on any of my machines, but since i take those down periodically, it would be easiest to simply build a small form factor machine, which I can also then use for print/file server

[RevDisk]

I have more than enough capability on any of my machines, but since i take those down periodically, it would be easiest to simply build a small form factor machine, which I can also then use for print/file server

Toss on snort, see who is knocking on your ports.  It's kinda fun to watch the trends.

[birdman]

Toss on snort, see who is knocking on your ports.  It's kinda fun to watch the trends.

Someday I'll have to tell you a story about snort (I work with some of the guys who wrote it)

[RevDisk]

Someday I'll have to tell you a story about snort (I work with some of the guys who wrote it)

Oh, I'm sure we'll both have some interesting stories.