On Wed, Nov 13, 2013 at 4:20 PM, Binand Sethumadhavan <binand(a)gmx.net> wrote: Define pricey. Don't know much about the model but here are a couple of bare metal hw alternatives + FOSS embedded appliance OS. For DSL service, I default to getting the service providers modem; when there is a problem it is your DSL line and your modem now fix it. The ISPs modems come with RJ45 LAN ports and in most case you can bridge the LAN port to the WAN iface. On the LAN side, I use 1. PCEngines/ALIX boards (3 10/100 ethernet ports). 2 ports go for the DSL service provider and one port is for the LAN. The cost is about USD 150 -175. I have been using this for the past three years for my own SOHO setup - works great!. One unit for multi WAN router + one for Wi-Fi AP (openWRT). (pcengines.ch) 2. Soekris 5501 (4 10/100 ethernet ports). 4 more ports can be added with an PCI addon card. I mix/match the ports for WAN + LAN connections. The cost can to USD 500. I have been using this for the past three years to test out more complex network configurations for teaching and a few client setups - works great!. Soekris also has a 6601 based on Atom + more RAM. (www.soekris.com) Both vendors provide a mini PCI express slot + USB ports. You can either install a USB or a mini PCI Wi-Fi card and build yourself a full featured Wi-Fi AP! It is possible to use the USB data cards (assuming the cards work in Linux) for failover to wireless data connections. The con for importing the hw - customs duty is random and takes anywhere up to 3 weeks to clear. An embedded OS goes on a 2GB CF (Voyage fits in a 256MB with space to spare!) For the OS there is a whole bunch of options. I have used zeroshell, pfsense, vyatta, voyage linux (debian derivative). All of them have the features you are looking for. ZS / pfsense provide Load Balancing + failover on the WAN ports. I have used VLANs on the WAN port for MPLS VPN networks. -- Arun Khan Sent from my non-iphone/non-android device