Networking with Direcway DW6000 w/NAT

[rldud]

I just had a Direcway satellite system installed with a DW6000 that uses NAT. I also bought a D Link DI-604 router to provide a hardware firewall and also to use to network two computers. When I tried to set up the router I had problems so I called D Link support and also looked at Direcway networking info. I have now been told that NAT is the same as a router and also is considered a firewall and that a hub or wireless access point would be a better choice. Direcway says the router can be used by diabling DHCP and connecting the modem cable to a LAN port on the router. My questions are, do I really need a hardware firewall with a NAT internet system, what is the best type of network to use, and will connecting the router the way Direcway recommends provide firewall protection.
TIA

[Greenstead]

A NAT device is not a firewall but it has some firewall features such as it blocks any unsolicited incoming connections - normally this is sufficient to protect you from unwanted intrusion, but it won't stop more sophisticated (but much rarer) attacks. I don't find any description of what the DW6000 provides other than NAT. A true firewall has more sophisticated protection features usually referred to as SPI. The Link DI-604 claims to have advanced firewall features and it does have some good features but I don't see SPI there.

So I would follow the advice you have already had.

[rldud]

I am considering using the setup that Direcway advises, but I don't know if the router firewall will function if the modem calble is connected to a LAN port instead of the WAN port. I was also told by a D Link rep. that the router will slow down the connection. Any advice?