Once upon a time, Mikael Abrahamsson <swmike@swm.pp.se> said:
Windows XP SP2 and later has the concept of different "zones" (or whatever it's called) where it'll allow things from the local subnet but not from outside of it, if you tell it so. I know people who configure their network printers without default gw to handle their spotty security.
That still requires someone to configure a printer, while most just plug it in and let it DHCP. Also, I needed to update the firmware on a network printer once, and it had to have a gateway because it downloaded the firmware directly. Heck, I have filled up a 5 port switch in my entertainment center now with TiVo, Xbox, Blu-Ray, and TV (plus back-haul); all of those use the Internet and so should have the protection of a firewall at the gateway (and of course the Xbox requires UPnP for some games). The TiVo, Blu-Ray, and possibly TV run Linux, which may be somewhat safer, but Linux has had (and will have) bugs too. -- Chris Adams <cmadams@hiwaay.net> Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.