In just about every setup of firewall hardware, the router is the most important piece of equipment. This is because of the nature of a firewall and how it operates. When people discuss firewalls in a computer context, they mean hardware or software that analyzes incoming traffic and blocks it if it's deemed dangerous.

Unless there is a dedicated server that is only analyzing traffic, the firewall router hardware does double duty. First, it protects a computer network from malicious access. Then, once it has okayed the access, the firewall router will then direct (or route) traffic to its appropriate IP destination. This means that the firewall router is the best, and sometimes only, line of defense between hackers and the precious data they might try to steal.

Ultimately, if you are hosting any servers, buying your firewall hardware router is an important decision. However, it is a decision that can be challenging because:

1. There are different hardware requirements for firewall routers. You must make sure you get one that works with your network infrastructure.
2. Wireless firewall routers do exist, but are they right for your business?
3. There are many providers of firewall routers.

In order to clear up some of the confusion, here are steps to consider.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Make a list of suppliers of firewall routers from online sources

The selection of a firewall router is a major decision and requires thorough research. First, survey the landscape of what suppliers exist and what products they offer.

I recommend: Do an exhaustive search of which firewall routers exist in the marketplace and their prices so you can make sure they fit your budget. Check TigerDirect.com and Google Products to find various equipment and their prices.

Do not forget to research the premium firewall router providers

From the sites above, you will see there are numerous firewall router providers. However, there are definitely two that should be included on your list if they are not already there.

I recommend: First, make sure SonicWALL is included on your list. Their products are good and reasonably priced. Also, add Cisco to your list because they are the arguably the finest name in firewalls, though they have the price tag to prove it.

Research each provider of firewall routers before you buy a firewall router

Now that you have a list of different hardware firewalls, it is time to figure out which one is right for you. Because many others have made this decision before you, there is a wealth of information on the Internet about what others think about various firewall routers.

I recommend: While you can always Google any routers you are considering, you should consider checking out hardware review sites. TestSeek and ProCompare are two sites that offer numerous product reviews.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If possible, find a supplier of firewall routers who is also a value-added reseller (VAR). Normally, a VAR can get a better price and support the equipment.
• •  Vendors of larger firewall routers may have their own training and certification programs. Make sure your IT staff can support whichever firewall you purchase.
• •  Some people prefer software routers over firewall hardware routers, so it may be worthwhile to investigate software routers before making a final decision.