I don't currently have any firewall. I have ddwrt as my main router.
DD-WRT has a packet filtering firewall, statefull firewall, NAT and proxy functionality...
linerror
joined 1 year ago
the switch I linked to is fanless.
you're clients are 1gbe... you can get a brand new unmanaged 24 port gbe switch for $50/£56 a fraction of one of those machines... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenda-Ethernet-Internet-Splitter-TEG1024D/dp/B09DPLVLPY/ -- not to mention you can get a used managed switch for less than half that.
if £56 is going to break your bank then get some double sided velcro and clean up your mess. wish you had mentioned your obscenely limited budget...
you can replace the 17 power supplies with a server PSU... these should all be 12v DC input with a standard 2.1x5.5MM barrel connectors...
flip them up onto their face, with the rear facing up. if you want to get fancy you could even make a base that integrates a little wedge and rod for the power button.
get at least a 24 port switch and micro ethernet cables.
this could be cleaned up to a single row on one shelf with no visible wires other than the ethernet and power lead running up and to the back. 1 switch under the machines... 1 PSU instead of 17... even one power cord...
or a little cable management at the very least...
cat5e can handle 1gbe, 2.5gbe, 5gb and 10gbe over short distances...