Jacob Yocom-Piatt wrote:
Nick Holland wrote:
exactly.
This idea of using VMware (or similar) to host a firewall that
protects the host operating system is something I find somewhere
between amusing (because its silly) and scary (because it indicates
people don't really understand, and think that a "firewall" works
magic, and these people might be protecting our personal data).
this goes without saying since any solution involving windows is, IMO,
turd polishing. however, i am forced to use the turd (, luke?) and would
rather have it wrapped in tinfoil than paper, not unlike a burrito.
While I normally agree with Nick, it all depends on implementation.
*grin*
If you can't or don't want to change the original hardware, just turn
the XP firewall on. It'll give you about as much protection.
There is an option that not many people are aware of, however. If you
have a USB/Ethernet adapter, you can have it attach as a native *USB*
device to the VM. I don't recall what the checkbox is under Player (I
use Server these days for just about everything, and it's a lot more
versatile), but it'll "pull" the device from windows and remap the USB
I/O through to the VM. I've used it with USB wireless and wired
adapters with some success, even including my EVDO data card, which
enumerates as a USB device/modem to the host system (really wierd
CardBus implementation).
Anyway, the big caveat that I've found is not all USB network devices
like having this process happen to them. The other caveat is that your
performance won't be as good as it would be, as there's a few layers of
I/O redirection that have to take place. Bottom line is, there's a
method for doing it, it just might not work as well as you want it to.
Figured it was worth a mention anyway.
--
Joseph Bender
Bendorius Consulting
jcbender at bendorius com
