I use a Redhat Linux box to serve my web-page and i also use it as a firewall/router. It has taken me about 2 weeks to actually learn the system and be able to effectivly admin it. If you get a good book, and i recommend IDG’s Redhat Linux Secrects, it doesnt take long to understand the system, and this particular book walks you though setting up a firewall and a server. Another advantage of using this system is that you can have an infinite amount of computers go through this computer and use the same internet connection. Redhat Linux itself is free and comes with EVRYTHING you could possibly need. Also, to comment on Homer’s comment, that you dont need security, my system has been running for about 1.5 weeks now, and to date i have recieved 124 port scans, someone looking for a way in, and 3 hack attempts. None succesful because there is no way in. If all you are going to do is use it as a gateway to the internet and a friewall, then there are two files you need to edit, which takes about 10 minutes, and you are secure. There is no such thing as completely secure, but you can come pretty dam close. Plus, being the techno geek i am, i think it is fun. =)
“Oh my God! Space aliens! Don’t eat me, I have a wife and kids! Eat them.”
Homer Simpson