Help choosing a router or switch.

I am a software developer and I don't know too much about networking or
routers/switches. I need to purchase some equipment for a specific
custom situation. I'm looking for the most inexpensive router or switch
that meets my needs. I'd prefer Dell or HP if possible.

Rack mountable.
I only need 6 ports.
My data throughput is low. I do not need the fastest available.

I will connect a total of 6 computers. I have some special needs.

Special needs:
One connection will be to a server (call it "server A") that is running
some custom software that is sending custom data using UDP. The data is
being sent on a specific network port. For that server connection I need:

1) To isolate server A so that no other server can send data to that
server. TCP, UDP, nothing.

2) Isolate server A so that the only traffic coming from server A is the
UDP data for the specific UDP network port number. That UDP data will
only go to one other router/switch port where a second server (call it
"server B") will be connected. Server B is running a custom program that
is expecting to receive that custom UDP data. NO OTHER PORT ON THE
ROUTER/SWITCH SHOULD SEE THE UDP DATA.

3) I need to translate the IP so that the receiving server (server B)
sees the UDP data coming from a different IP then what is actually
occurring. There is a specific reason I need to do this. It is hard to
explain.

Can this be done? What is the cheapest solution?

I think understanding the design is better than worrying about models
numbers and if it is rack mountable or not. If you want inexpensive, then
it is not going to be rack mountable.

Server "A" needs to be on the LAN side of a Firewall

The other machines need to be on the WAN side of the firewall. That will
isolate Server "A" as you described.

The things they call "routers" in retail stores are not real routers,...they
don't even "route". They are just cheap low-buck NAT-Firewalls.
Luckily,..that is probably all you need for this.

Number of physical ports is not relevant as long as there are enough of
them.

See this diagram
http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/s...l/Drawing5.jpg

--
Phillip Windell

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------


"TomChapman" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I am a software developer and I don't know too much about networking or
>routers/switches. I need to purchase some equipment for a specific custom
>situation. I'm looking for the most inexpensive router or switch that meets
>my needs. I'd prefer Dell or HP if possible.
>
> Rack mountable.
> I only need 6 ports.
> My data throughput is low. I do not need the fastest available.
>
> I will connect a total of 6 computers. I have some special needs.
>
> Special needs:
> One connection will be to a server (call it "server A") that is running
> some custom software that is sending custom data using UDP. The data is
> being sent on a specific network port. For that server connection I need:
>
> 1) To isolate server A so that no other server can send data to that
> server. TCP, UDP, nothing.
>
> 2) Isolate server A so that the only traffic coming from server A is the
> UDP data for the specific UDP network port number. That UDP data will only
> go to one other router/switch port where a second server (call it "server
> B") will be connected. Server B is running a custom program that is
> expecting to receive that custom UDP data. NO OTHER PORT ON THE
> ROUTER/SWITCH SHOULD SEE THE UDP DATA.
>
> 3) I need to translate the IP so that the receiving server (server B) sees
> the UDP data coming from a different IP then what is actually occurring.
> There is a specific reason I need to do this. It is hard to explain.
>
> Can this be done? What is the cheapest solution?