Is a home built router worth it when you still have a dsl modem/router combo first?

[ev3rm0r3]

I've always wanted to setup my own pc router, as they have obvious network performance advantages, and have considered this mobo to go with. HCIPC2062

But my curiousity comes in, is it worth it when my home internet is stuck behind a dsl modem/router/wifi combo to begin with. I assume a home build router pc could bridge like a regular router taking the dsl modems internal router out of the question. But will I really see much gain in doing this?

I'm not new to networking, so have at it, tech me to the ground, I've just never made a home router or used one.

 

[kanewolf]

You would want to bridge the DSL combo device so that the "WAN" port on the pfSense (or whatever OS you choose) host actually has a public IP address.

 

[bill001g]

I do not see what network performance advantages you think you will see. A DSL connection is fairly slow so it is likely almost any router can keep up with that. If you had a gig connection maybe it would help but the testing sites have shown that the higher end consumer routers can pass close to 1g of traffic.

I guess it depends what you are planning to do with your "router". If its main purpose is to provide NAT services then likely you will no advantage. If you are going to run say large numbers of vpn tunnels you would likely see a advantage. If you were running a server and needed a bunch of firewall rules to protect the server a pc based firewall would help here also.

 

[ev3rm0r3]

I was just lookin for a new project to learn from and figured it it would give me an advantage other then just having one I'd do it. If not I guess maybe i'll just put the cash towards a better gaming rig.