Assistance with hardware specs please!!

[wickedy]

I've been tasked to set up a small (6 max PCs) network at work for the sole purpose of providing a "Internet Cafe" style setup. It can't be a wireless network.

Now, I hold my hands up and freely admit I know nowt about networking hardware. I've been reliably informed that, once I get the cable broadband sorted out, and wired into our Technology Room, I will need:

- a firewall; connected to a
- a proxy server; connected to
- a network switch, which will in turn be connected to our computers via our in-house hardwired trunking.

We need the firewall to block access to sites deemed unsuitable for viewing at work (i.e. those that contain racist, homophobic, sexist, defamatory, offensive, illegal or otherwise inappropriate material). So we need to be able to obtain up-to-date lists of such sites to keep this material unavailable.

So, what do I need to buy? A friend has strongly suggested that our firewall should be purchased from Cisco, but other than that, I haven't got a clue which model, or to what specs it should be made or operate on.

Any and all help welcome. Please??!?

 

[wickedy]

Phemo.

Thanks for the quick response. I know it may seem like overkill but it's required by the organisation I work for and certainly for the work we do. It's not linked with our main network or the work we do, but it does need to be secure and safe, monitoring both incoming and outgoing traffic to a certain extent.

I forgot that the filters go onto the proxy server - shows how little I know on the subject. Also, what is "NAt functionality"?

Finally, what specifications should I be looking for on a firewall with my above business case in mind? Will any firewall do or is there certain functionalities I should be looking for?

Thanks again. Please feel free to jot down anything you consider to be of use or interest.

Ta