run server as root ?

[Guest_imported]

I am trying to set up my home network and everything seems ok but I cant run the firewall as user I tried changing permision of the firewall to the user and got an error that ifconfig wasnt found so I changed the permision of ifconfig then got an error saying that external interface could not be found . it all works great run as root but thats not right is it . I have rh7 external 56k with win98 clients. what did i do wrong ?should I start the firewall at boot ? I got an error that said no ppp or something like that when i did?
I have been testing it logged in as root and then connecting and then /etc/rc.d/rc.firewall it all works fine and then i thought wait this isnt right help me please

 

[chenn]

Hi!
First of all which kind of firewall are you using? ipchains, ipfilter, iptables, ipfw? A firewall is implemented quite near to the actual system kernel, so starting it as a user wouldn't be such a great idea as any user could lock the system and thereby f*** it up. Same with interfaces (ifconfig).
ppp is elemental for modems and co is your modem working without the firewall? regards
chenn

 

[Guest_imported]

I am sorry I am using ipchains and yes the modem is working fine after I reboot and login as user
thank you

 

[Guest_imported]

hi again
I thought that i would be able to run the firewall while user by logging in the terminal as root.or thats what i had planned to do.