Can I Install a Wireless Router Between Modem and Firewall Computer

[drafttech]

We have a wired network with a linux based firewall computer and a hardwired modem. The phone line goes to the modem, then an ethernet cable connects it to the firewall. From the firewall another ethernet cable connects individual users via a switch.

Some of the people on the network would like to install a wireless router for their personal devices (phones, etc) and we don't want to compromise the security of our wired system. To avoid this, can we install a new wireless router between the hardwired modem and the firewall computer? Any other suggestions are welcome as well.

 

[bill001g]

It depends if the device you have is really a modem or you have a router. If it is a modem you likely only have a single IP address and that is being given to the firewall so you cannot add something inbetween easily.

I guess you could wire this new router between the modem and firewall and assign the firewall a IP off that router but then all your wired traffic would in effect be on the wireless network after it passed through the firewall.

The more common way to do this is to connect this new router to the firewall and use the firewall to prevent any traffic from flowing between the networks. It is best if you have another ethernet port to plug the device into on the firewall so it is completely separate.

If you only have a single port then if your switches support vlans you might be able to run 2 vlans over the connection to the firewall and keep them seperate on the switch.