Ricardo:

Anyhoo, they asked me to find out some info for them in regards to Linux ser vers, as they are getting broadband internet soon. It's roles would be: firew all/router and MP3 file server (they also make music). I guess they may want to serve MP3's using an FTP package, and resumable downloads may be a priorit y, as they would be serving dial-up users.

Well, you can either use any normal machine with a slightly upgraded kernel for USB (I hear that the BT snotball modem works with 2.2.20), a normal FTPd like proftpd and then use ipchains or iptables to firewall, masq and route (so I guess 2.4.x would be better, because iptables are better).

Or you can use a dedicated firewall distribution like Gibraltar, but it might be harder to install an ftp server on it, as firewalls are meant to be secure and anonymous ftp servers aren't! Whatever you get, something with easy/ automatic updates would be good.

I'm afraid I still have to say don't use Smoothwall. There seem to be some very worrying noises and moves coming from that project, who still don't seem to have got their head around the GPL. Their project leader has also attacked various prominent UK Linux proponents in the past. (Richard Morrell, if you read this, remember: you email me, I report you to your service provider. I am not putting up with that sort of abuse again. Everyone else: sorry, but he's emailed me as a result of ALUG list posts before.)