What PC for xDSL Router ?

[gala_dragos]

Hi! I´m trying to build a router for my network.
The ISP has a dumb way (in my opinion) to supply the internet service to it´s customers. They supply it by xDSL or PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol Over Ethernet).
Now I wanna route this PPPoE connection towards two pc. The routing will be done using NAT so it won´t conflict with ISP rules. I also whould like to run a mail server on this router.
The ISP recommends a PC with at least 1GHz processor and 256MB of RAM. Now I think this is too much, but I might be wrong. I was thinking that a P1 at 233MHz with 128MB SDRAM could to the job.
What kind of hardware should I use for this router? I mean how much RAM and what processor?

[Jman]

You might be using their minimums for a desktop PC instead of a router. I have heard of routers with less, about at the spec you are thinking of.

[ms1234]

I'd go for a huge amount of memory. Then processing power depending on the number of mails / routing you'll be doing.

[sej7278]

why do you thing pppoe is dumb? it is kind of the standard way to deliver adsl.....

anyway, i've used a p200mmx with 96mb ram as a cable/adsl router for years, it even hosted a website too, and all that without even a fan on the heatsink ;) a mailserver is going to take less load than a webserver.

if you think about it most netgear/linksys etc. routers are just 200mhz chips with 8-32mb ram running linux.

[gala_dragos]

Thanks guys ! I'll see what "scrap yard" computer I can dig up.

[mwette]

Are you sure a $50 linksys router can't do the job? It a simple, low-power solution.
These are very effective at providing home NAT solutions (firewall, connetion policies,
port forwarding, support for dynamic nameservice changes, etc.)

If you want to learn/play with using linux as a router that is another thing.

[ashwiz]

Hi there

I have setup and running similar setup as you require -server, connected on an adsl modem (ethernet type), and on pc's with very low spec.

pc's used include P1 700, Celeron 333, and with 128MB...
These servers are running:
-firewall
-postfix
-samba
-apache

The users do not complain about speed, only takes a while when rebooting...