Any recommendations for new hardware?

I use BT business broadband and have a setup that was stable for quite some 10 years but now looks like it is about to fall apart since I'm now having problems that I can't solve the same way I've always solved them.

I have an old Netgear ADSL modem and a D-Link modem, which I swap around at times. I have a gateway server acting as a router and firewall.

I'd like to replace the gateway server with a router to simplify the setup. Probably separate wifi too.

I think it would be better to get a separate modem and router in case I decide to upgrade the broadband to fibre and need a different modem.

My main goals are robustness and ease of use. I currently have to administer the iptables firewall but I'd like to ditch that in favour of a subscription-based firewall that regularly updates its blacklist of bad sites - although only if I can get something that doesn't cost more than £100 a year.

Is there a good combination of router, modem, access points, built-in firewall? Or if not, separately?

thanks
Adam

BT business now supply a 'Smart Hub' but running their own firmware, they seem easy enough to use. Ring and ask if they'll supply one for you ?

Is there a good combination of router, modem, access points, built-in firewall? Or if not, separately?

I currently have to administer the iptables firewall

I think you are an advanced user....separate modem (using broadcom chip for monitoring)...ubnt wifi access points and a pfsense, untangle, smoothwall or even a ubnt firewall/UTM.

Ian

OK thanks, lots to look into there.

What broadcom chipset modem are you using, or would you rate?

Annoyingly, because my original intent was to reduce the time I have to spend as sysop, by googling pfsense and untangle, I somehow quickly got hooked by this guy's article:

https://arstechnica.co.uk/gadgets/2016/04/how-to-mak...

Correct me if I'm wrong though, I should have less work to do if I get a super-router with pfsense on it, or even a ubnt router as you suggest (which one would you look at?)

re: BT business smart hub - although I almost definitely want a separate modem and router, I could go down this low cost route (just £8 for postage) but what sort of firewall options does it offer? I hurt my brain trying to negotiate the BT website.

What broadcom chipset modem are you using

I'm using a zyxel VMG8924-B10A in modem only mode, and, as QOS is important on my ADSL (6 Mbps down 0.4 Mbps up) connection, I use an Asus RT-N66U with TomatoUSB installed.

The last time I looked and tested pfsense QOS does not work very well on a slow (<2 Mbps) upload.

As for blacklists subscriptions, I have not looked into that at all but I am sure pfsense has many add-ons for URL filtering, as for Ubnt security gateways try downloading the manual.

BT business smart hub

May be okay as your modem if you do not require in-depth stats, but probably not powerful enough for URL filtering.

Most good modern separate modems should run on ADSL now with the capability to handle infinity should you chose to upgrade.