Recently set up a home office network, and it's proving very handy. I've just a small query about security - the systems are hooked up to a switch which is then patched into the router. I figured 'if in doubt' it's always better to run a firewall but I'm wondering if this is redundant? I have one system with a load of specialist software on it and the s/w firewall I was going to install required a newer XP service pack (which I'm reluctant to do incase it screws anything else up). But at the same time, I don't want to risk some sort of backdoor into the network. Or should I just look at a different firewall s/w?
On a related note, should the IP jump around when hooked up to the switch? This particular system is a printer server and the drivers were installed to port .6 - I couldn't get it working, only to discover the IP had changed to .8 the next day, despite no cable change
On a related note, should the IP jump around when hooked up to the switch? This particular system is a printer server and the drivers were installed to port .6 - I couldn't get it working, only to discover the IP had changed to .8 the next day, despite no cable change
