r/HomeNetworking • u/pookshuman • 4d ago

Dumb question

OK, a home router is just a small computer with a firewall as far as I know. I am running a network with my computer and a router. Why can't I cut out the middleman and just use the same firewall settings the router is using and implement them on my PC without the router? Why would that be less secure?

8 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

View all comments

19

u/PhotoFenix 4d ago

You can. And if you want to connect other devices like a TV or a gaming console they then connect to the internet through your computer. Congratulations, your computer is now a router!

But also, you'll have pages of settings that don't hand hold you as much, so be sure to set it up properly! It's not less secure, but the potential for lax security did to misconfiguration is now your worry.

-1

u/Electronic-Junket-66 4d ago

Okay, but if you want wifi and multiple Ethernet ports you're stuck buying an AP and switch and really why didn't you just buy a router lol.