[svlug] SOHO router spiced up was: Sheevaplug ?

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Ivan Sergio Borgonovo (mail at webthatworks.it):

> I think the usage of home server and habits are a bit different than
> yours (but well mine may be wrong) so I can't still get convinced
> that I don't need a stand alone Linux router.

You're undoubtedly right about prevalent home-server needs.  An edge
router/NAT/filter appliance is very likely the most common of those
needs, and the classic hardware from Linksys and others that was/is
compatible with DD-WRT is probably just right, for it.

Other probably common home-server roles:  Wireless access point, backup
management device, streaming audio/video box.  The Open-RD and
Sheevaplug hardware seems promising for all of those -- in all but the
WAP case, with hard drives added.


I was actually talking with my wife Deirdre about server-usage patterns,
and made the point, while acknowledging Luke's excellent point that
VPSes are increasingly compelling, that I'm simply very accustomed to
doing all of my substantive computing on a real Linux server that's
resident on my local LAN.

That is, I tend to treat the wotsit in front of me as just a source of
xterms and Web browser, and ssh from there into my local server, where I
prefer to keep all data I care about and do all substantive work --
including reading and responding to SMTP traffic right off my MTA spool.

So, I'd still want a general-purpose server on my Internet-connected
house LAN, even if I _did_ also have a VPS for public Internet presence.
In fact, even though dynamic IP and NAT are Good Things generally, 
I'm happy only with at least one machine I fully control on static
IP, with unfiltered connectivity, able to run any service I'm willing to
install and configure, autonomous and subject only to my own policies.
(Notice the 17 U.S.C. 512 advisory at the bottom of my front page.
I tend to go with A.J. Liebling's saying that "Freedom of the press
is guaranteed only to those who own one.")