Linux internet server at home.

[Hebbe]

I have 2 computers running windows 95 at home, but none of them is connected to the internet.

I am planning using the win '95 computers as clients, and setting up a Linux server connected to the internet.

Therefore I am asking if you have any advice or experience on how to set up such a server. Should I use a samba file service or is it an more difficult setup?

 

[thedaver]

Install RedHat 9 or Mandrake for your first install. YES, install Samba for file sharing (and printers). Consider installing DHCP for future use (hands out IPs to client).

DO NOT CONNECT Linux to the Internet without a firewall!

http://firewall-jay.sourceforge.net/

Surfinbox.com Business Internet Services - National Dialup, DSL, T-1 and more.

http://www.surfinbox.com/business/

 

[RhythmAce]

If you already have a machine setup with linux on it, then that would be the way to go. Linux comes with everything you'll need to do the trick. On the hardware side, you'll need to add a second ethernet card (NIC) to the server. This machine will now become the firewall/router/gateway for the rest of your lan. The first NIC (eth0), will be configured using the information your isp gave you. If You have a static ip, then you will need to setup eth0 with the ip address, default gateway, subnet mask and dns server ip. If you will be connecting via DHCP, then all this will be added automatically. Eth1 will be configured with your lan information. the ip you will use is one that can only be seen by your local network. The most common is 192.168.0.x, where x is any number you want between 1 and 254. It isn't recommended to use 0 or 255. Usually the router/gateway is at the lower end of the range i.e. 192.168.0.1. When you setup the cards on the client machines, that is the ip you use for the default gateway and dns server. Client1 can have the ip of 192.168.0.10 and client2 can use 192.168.0.20. These are just suggestions and can be whatever you want. The subnet mask will be 255.255.255.0. I think the easiest way to share your internet connection is to setup linux as a proxy server using squid. You can do a search for "modem sharing" or "internet sharing" for more information on this subject. There is a much easier way to do this if you have about $30 bucks on ya. You can go to you favorite electronics store and buy a router that will do all this for you right out of the box. All you do is plug your machines into it and browse to the ip of your new router which is usually 192.168.0.1 and you will presented with a webpage looking interface to do the setup. You'll be up and running in a few minutes rather than hours or days.

 

[zeland]

Most "Routers" that you get for $30 are really Internet Gateways packed with some minimal router like functions. Although an IG may get the job done faster, but its less flexible to configure. Most IGs allow you to configure about 8 to 16 routing rules only. For most home users that are not security concious, that should be enough. If you've got the time to spare, learn how to setup IPTABLES on Linux. It will serve you better in the long run. When you get into problems, come on back here and will fix your right up.