Home network/firewall newbie needs help

[U-96]

Okay here's the deal...

I have a Celeron 400 based on an Abit BX6-2 and running Windows 98SE. I use this machine for everything - games, office apps, internet surfing. I like my games too much to want to change OS.

My previous PC was a Compaq 575e (i.e. a Pentium 75 classic) running Win95 with a 640MB HDD and 24MB RAM. This is collecting dust at the moment, but inspired by the latest Sysopt article, I'm wondering about turning this unused grey box into a Linux based firewall and thus killing two birds with one stone (playing with Linux AND learning a bit about networks and firewalls).

Neither PC has a network card, but I'm hoping to cannibalise my girlfriend's father's old Pentium classic for some parts (maybe memory, better processor, extra HD etc)for my own P75 box.

Any suggestions, links to browse, newbie flames, hysterical laughter at my complete and utter failure to grasp network/Linux fundamentals, warmly welcomed.
My project is your project. [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]
Thanks,

U-96

[DougM]

Linux Home Networking (modem sharing, firewall, drive sharing) http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue26/kunz.html http://www.tcu-inc.com/mark/projects/NetHome.html http://www.imcnet.net/~jpollman/mini-home-server.txt
DNS for the Home Network http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue44/pollman/dns.html
Linux IP Masquerading http://www.indyramp.com/masq/
Linux internet sharing http://jgo.local.net/LinuxGuide/linux-ip-masq.html
Linux Router Project (router on a floppy)
http://www.linuxrouter.org/
Linux Security for the Home Network http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue46/pollman.html
Linux Backup for the Home Network http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue47/pollman.html
Linux Firewall and Security Site
http://linux-firewall-tools.com/

The linux router project is interesting, the whole thing fits on a floppy, no need for a hard drive at all.

[This message has been edited by DougM (edited 11-03-1999).]

[U-96]

Thanks for the links DougM, much appreciated [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]

More news as I get it, should be getting the additional hardware in the next couple of weeks, and a Red Hat 6 image.

U-96

[DougM]

Well since this thread made the newsletter I thought I should add some more useful stuff.

Linux with cable modems
http://www.kernel-panic.com/user_files/cable-linux.html
http://www.cablemodeminfo.com/LinuxCableModem.html

[U-96]

Thanks for the extra info DougM. I'm in the process of preparing my linux box (so little time to spare recently) and I probably wont get round to having a running setup until Xmas holidays when I shall use my 2 week vacation to fiddle.

I'm think I'm crippled on the linux firewall deal until I get a new modem - my current one is a HCF Rockwell winmodem [img]/forum/frown.gif[/img]
Also added two NICs and a bit of cable to the shopping list... do I have to watch out for linux-incompatible NICs, if there is such a thing?

That other Pentium machine turned out to be a 486DX2 66. However it did have a decent HDD, so I ripped that out... Also had a SB16 and a I/O card wih two COM ports, so not a complete loss. Can anyone think of a use for a 486 with a dead mobo? The SIMMS didn't seem to be equal pairs, so I can't use those in the P75 box as far as I'm aware.

So far my Linux-box candidate looks like this:

Compaq Prolinea 575e:
Proprietary design desktop box and mobo (arggggh!)
24MB RAM in paired SIMMS (2x4MB + 2x8MB)
Genuine Intel Pentium 75
2.4GB Seagate Medallist HDD
CDROM of unknown speed (x4?)
generic floppy
SB16vibra
onboard video (Cirrus Logic 1MB SGVA adapter)
3 or 4 ISA slots (one shared w/ PCI)
1 PCI slot (shared w/ ISA)

******

The bits left over [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]
0.64GB HDD (Quantum)
3.5" floppy
VGA apapter card
I/O card
2 SIMMS of as yet undetermined but unequal capacity
486DX2 66 processor+heatsink (no little fan! there goes my Voodoo project!)
80mm fan
mobo (Bioteq marked chipset, presumed dead)
Midtower case with LED turbo speed on! [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]

Any advice or tips to avoid errors and common mistakes BEFORE I install Linux greatly appreciated, and comments on better hardware config (based on above).

Thanks again DougM
U-96

More details around Christmas time! [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]

[DougM]

More firewall on Linux info:
Linux Firewall Tools http://linux-firewall-tools.com/

You might want to check out these links, particularly the Linux Pre-Installation Check List. http://www.linux.org/help/beginner/install.html

Your hardware: Well I use Redhat these days and here is their latest hardware compatibility information. http://www.redhat.com/corp/support/h...-hcl-i.ld.html

For the network card they say these are the only known incompatible ones:
Intel EtherExpress Pro/10 PCI
Xircom Ethernet adapters

Your box looks good for a home server/gateway/firewall. I'm not sure how well it would run Xwindows (the Linux GUI) but you don't need that anyway. It should run X, might just be a bit slow.

One thing to check in general with the machine is that some older machines had serial ports that couldn't handle a 56K modem at full speed. The problem was the buffer in the UART, you need the 16550 UART or compatible. You can avoid this problem by using an internal modem (but I like externals). Your I/O card with 2 COM ports might solve this as well.
For more information: http://www.teleport.com/~curt/modems.html

To help identify your spare RAM try: http://www.mitronet.com/chipdir/

I like netgear NICs, you can usually find the PCI 10/100 version for $20 if you shop around. http://netgear.baynetworks.com/
A networking kit can be quite reasonable as well:
September 1, 1998 PC Magazine Networks Made Easy & Reviews of Networking Kits http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/pclabs/ne...715/index.html
An inexpensive one is the Netgear SB104 http://www.pricewatch.com/ lists it for $ 51

Since you are looking at only a 2 computer network right now you can use a crossover cable to connect them together. Look in this forum for more info or try this page: http://netgear.baynetworks.com/suppo...0tx_faqs.shtml


[This message has been edited by DougM (edited 11-30-1999).]

[lance201]

U96,

why not use a router???

LCPL Twenty