Using Spare PC as a Managed Switch

[untranslatedza]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the correct subforum, please move if it isnt.

Basically I have a spare PC and network PCI-e network card, so I believe hardware wise I have what I need, and willing to spend a small amount extra if needed.
I want to use the spare machine to sit between my switch and my router. WIth all the rest of the PC's in the house connecting through the switch.
What I want to accomplish is:
24/7 always on File Server which I will use to download torrents ( i dont want this on my gaming PC since i seem to pick up issues if torrents are on my main OS. )
Managed switch capabilities, since I have more than one person using the internet I pay for, I want to limit total usage, and restrict services like streaming to a certain speed (only have a 4meg line (welcometoafrica).
If possible also use it as a firewall since my router is pretty crap.

Any advices ? I would prefer application type software that I can use on windows since I dont know much about Linux, but will switch if required.

 

[bill001g]

The machine needs to have 2 nic cards it to event think to accomplish this with consumer routers and switches.

There is almost no software for windows platform that can do this besides why run all the overhead when you are running it as a server.

The simplest way is going to be to load a prebuild linix image that has pfsense firewall. It will do most the function without having to know huge amounts of linux details. You may have to load some other software packages if the ones to limit traffic in pfsense are not robust enough.

Your largest issue is 4m is extremely small connection. Without going into extreme detail you will find it is very hard to get a configuration that will consistently limit the traffic the way you need. By the time you are done you will be a expert at explaining what burst rate is and why tcp window size is important....and these are just 2 of the common example.

 

[nigelivey]

Agreed with the above, pfsense is capable of achieving what you want, you will have to set limiters and Qs. You would also need to ensure that the 2 NICS required are compatible with pf.