Its about time that I sort out my current network as Exchange 2003 which is running on the main server doesn’t like it at all and the firewall – ISA 2004 which was then upgraded to ISA 2006, because it “was playing up” – is still playing up!

Whats Going

• ISA 2004/2006 Firewall
• Exchange 2003
• Internet Active Directory domain name, http://www.ewales.info
• “Double NATting” (Two subnets, one before firewall the other after)
• Firewall Hardware – 500W PSU!

Whats Staying

• Main Server Hardware
• Web Server Hardware
• ADSL Router
• 24 x 100TX port Switch – needs a clean!

Whats NEW

• Linux Firewall
• VPN Connections – maybe
• Internal Active Directory Domain
• Windows Server 2003 RC2 – maybe
• Wireless Internet Access – maybe
• Compaq 2200kVa UPS in the rack
• Compaq SCSI CD Unit in the rack

The Network Diagram

Timescale: 6-10 hours maximum

Which Linux Firewall Distro shall I run on the firewall box? I have the choices of:

• Smoothwall – free
  
• IPCop – free
• SecurePoint – unsure
• SuSE 11.

I’m also going to rack mount a few bits of Compaq hardware into the 38U rack unit I have in my bedroom back home…..yes a 38U Rack Unit lol

EDIT: Sorry its a 40U Rack and not a 38U as I first thought!