Safe Firewall software for PC and MCs?

[dpolcino]

I just got the Transport, Mix and Control, they're great! But it was a real challenge getting them working on my win 7 64x system. Eventually tracked it down to ESET's firewall (and possibly even its spyware program). I have the MCs on their own ethernet port so you'd think I could just tell my firewall to totally ignore that port. But no matter what I try, it either completely blocks them being recognized or constantly pings them, making them lose their connections. So what are people doing about spyware and firewall software? Any advice?

Thanks!