What is the best way to connect to the Internet?

Question

Computer networks

Can you please tell me how to connect to the Internet in the local network? which option will be more secure (protected):
1. Connect through a Cisco 2600/2800 series router. We take out the Squid proxy server on Linux separately.

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2. Through a Cisco 2600/2800 series router. But the Squid proxy server on Linux between the router and the LAN.

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3. Through the Squid proxy server on Linux.

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The proxy is deployed on a regular PC with two network cards. It is planned to access the Internet for users both with and without a proxy.

Answer 1

The first option is more correct.
Because
- you will have clients who do not need or do not fit, or do not work with a proxy, then they will go to the Internet through Cisco
- this option is the most reliable of the schemes you proposed, because. hardware solutions are more reliable than software, if something happens to the proxy, you just release everyone on the Internet through cisco.
- you get the separation of resources and you can serve them separately, you can organize a VPN on cisco
, etc. etc.

Answer 2

It is better not to set a break in the proxy - network equipment is considered more reliable by default. And so - an additional point of failure.
In general, there is not enough information - how serious is fault tolerance needed? What's up with channel duplication? Is it necessary to provide for the possibility of upgrading the whole thing?

Answer 3

The first one is better, but only in this situation!

Answer 4

The third option is so-so - when falling, the piece of iron will rise faster than linux. The choice between the first two depends on how strong control is needed and what the proxy is for.
If the proxy is just to simplify the settings for accessing the tyrnet and do not care who goes where - you can also be the first. If you need access control - definitely the second.