New to linux, need guide to instaal server

[kievit]

I am new to Linux, I always have worked with windows, but now I plan to install a new linux-based server.
The server has to divide my internet cable connection between 3 other computers (windows 98 machines) and has to contain a firewall. Also I want to install a mailserver on it and I want to share the remaining empty space on the harddisk with the 3 windows 98 clients.

I never have worked with Linux and just installed it, I don't understand much of it, but I will not give up! So if you have any tips or know a step-by-step guide on how to achieve my goals I would be very grateful!!!

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

For the internet connection sharing the easiest is to use IP masquerading via iptables (2.4.x series kernels) or ipchains (2.2.x series kernels onwards). Firewalling uses the same utilities. If you wish you can set up the squid proxy server for http only connection sharing and cacheing of content.

For email, you'd need sendmail, postfix, or qmail and for sharing the drive space its samba -

http://www.samba.org

- unless you want to use NFS and install NFS client software on the windows boxes.

You need to give a bit more detail, especially which Linux distribution you're going to use, before anyone can give you a step-by-step guide to it all.

Rgds

 

[kievit]

Thanks for your reply, I am going to use the Redhat 7.1 release and postfix and samba sound good, but I do not only want to share http only, but the whole connection. The win 98 computers attached to the Linux server should be capable of doing to same as if they had an own internet connection.

 

[marsd]

#boot.local
echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
ipchains -P forward ACCEPT
ipchains -P input ACCEPT
ipchains -P output ACCEPT

ipchains -A forward -s mynetwork -d 0/0 -j MASQ
#end ; very marginal config!!!

Some apps may not work, the masquerade howto and
various ip masquerading sources ("Linux Routers",
Prentice Hall, by Tony Mancill, has excellent examples.)
should be able to get you through.

Just set the windows machines to use your linux routers
internal int as their default gw and you should be set.

 

[kievit]

Oke thanks! Although I do not understand what you mean with:

#boot.local
echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
ipchains -P forward ACCEPT
ipchains -P input ACCEPT
ipchains -P output ACCEPT

ipchains -A forward -s mynetwork -d 0/0 -j MASQ
#end ; very marginal config!!!

Where do I have to type this???

Now I am going to find me a HOWTO and try to connect my LAN to the internet using masquerading.

 

[ifincham]

Hi,

This is an example of how distros are a bit different - Suse Linux uses /sbin/init.d/boot.local as a local customisation script and thats what marsd meant. Redhat, however, uses, /etc/rc.d/rc.local or /etc/rc.d/init.d/rc.local (one is a symlink for the other) for the same thing - so in your case you'd put the suggested code there.

Rgds