Help with a network setup. suggestions and tips appericated

[GroundZero3]

Right now i have a peer to peer network in my house. i want to put on a server so that we can share files over the LAN. (mp3's, programs, backup) anywayz i have two computers on my LAN one running win98 SE and the other running win2k. I have a 486 with 64mb RAM laying around and people say that will work fine as a server. *side note: i have a switch

1. Will the 486 be a good server and able to handle the network?? I play games alot (counterstrike, UT, starcraft) will the server affect preformance??

2. I have win95 and win98 se which should i use as a operating system?? Or how about NT? People say i should go the linux route but i have no experience in it whatsoever.

3. Also i have a cable connection how the heck would i set that up if i have a server?? Im using @home and right now im paying for an extra ip address.

4. since im on cable and i want some sort of protection i use zonealarm. would i put zonealarm on the server?? the problem with zonealarm is it isn't really configurable.

Any kind of links, pics, reading would be really great.

[GroundZero3]

hey thanxs for the link. THats what i was looking for

JaYsin

[Mntsnow]

some of the answers you are looking for can be found at www.homepclan.com (http://www.homepclan.com) and there will be links from there that will take you to other information as well.

#1 The 486 should not slow down your game play unless it's hardware is (hd's and nic's are slower than what your currently using)

#2. I personally would lean toward the Linux route as well as the linux code doesnt suffer as badly as the Win9x code does on a 486 system. And you will learn something in the process http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

#3 Basically the same way that you have your Win boxes (configure the nic with a static IP , Subnet, DNS ect.

#4That question will really depend on how you truly implement the "server"

Good luck