On Friday 06 September 2002 10:17, you wrote: > Hello everyone, > > This is a pet project that I'm working on that has been on going for > over a year. I have a very low budget and would like some input on how the > following things can be done with references and problems that might arise. > > Problem: > 1. Trying to set up a home network with Linux boxes, Windows boxes. >
I'd encourage it. I know I love mine... > 2. I would like all computers to have internet access and have the whole > system more secure than just having my Win2k machine sitting on Shaw all > the time turned on. I am willing to buy a router but what type should I > get? I know a linux router box can be set up but with these old machines I > think it would consume more power. > This is true, a PC will use more power, but you end up with a PC. There are some pretty good benefits to that. I would set up this machine as a Proxy Server (Squid), as a DHCP Server, and also as a File and Print Server. Since it would be turned on 24x7, you could use it to store MP3s, and other files that you only want to have once on the network, rather than on everyone's PC. This saves you disk space overall. Same with a Printer, and DHCP, and maybe even a Proxy. Now I know that there are some little firewall appliances that can provide some/all of this, but what have you learnt through using an appliance? Plus, how flexible are the firewalls when it comes to changes down the road? Your appliance won't support IP6, a Linux box will. That's a while away yet, but IPsec through a NAT box has just passed, and there will be other times where having a completely upgradable box will be far better than having a little appliance. Think of the SNMP vulnerability, and others. Would you rather fix it, or live with it? These are the benefit's of Linux. USE IT. > 3. I would like to avoid having duel boots systems and need Windows 2000, > (for my family,) Windows 98, (Gaming,) and Linux boxes. > Me too. Tell the family they're gonna use Linux, and they're gonna LIKE it... :) A 486 will be fine for the firewall, and alternately, it could be one of the P90s that you'll use Linux on yourself. Just never turn it off. > 4. I would like a FTP-site and a web-site on the system that can be > accessed from outside, also, all machines must be able to share files, (so > Samba would be installed.) > Ok, no problem, throw both FTP, and HTTP servers on the firewall, and open the ports. Then load up Samba so everyone can share stuff internally. Use Samba as a PDC. > 5. Which distros I should use. One Linux box should be somewhat user > friendly and the other as a server, (FTP, www). > Pick one. It sounds like the Linux boxes are only for you, so download half a dozen different distros, and then try them all. In the end, you'll have the one YOU like best. Once you decide what you want to keep, go out and buy a box so that you're supporting the authors. Personally, I'd suggest Gentoo. But that's just the one I like. > 6. An idea on how the system should be set up. > > WWW (Shaw) > => Router/Firewall > => Terminal 1 (Windows 2000) > => Terminal 2 (Windows 98) > => Terminal 3 (Linux) > => Terminal 4 (Linux) > > Background: > I have about 4 years users experience with Unix/Linux during my > years at the UofC, (this means I have no admin. experience in Linux,) and > miss my Linux platform. I currently have one computer running Windows 2000 > as my ftp-site, web-site. > > Equiptment: > 1 - Celeron 450 - Windows 2000 > 1 - P133 - 4Gb HDD (??? RAM) > 2 - P90 - 2Gb HDD (??? RAM) > Over clock those p90s to P100s. It doesn't sound like much, but it is. Chances are, you'll get some extra speed out of the 450 too... The 133 is already a 66mhz bus, so you won't get it any faster. Not safely anyways. > Network: > Running on Shaw. > 1 - Hub > Mostly 3Com cards for each computer. Assuming you Don't buy a 486 for the firewall... *Plug a P90 into shaw, build it into your firewall, don't forget DHCP, and this should be your Samba PDC. (Get Samba 2.2.4, it's worth the upgrade). *Then plug it into your hub. *Build up all the other PCs, *Have the C450 (probably a 466 or 433 if it's a Celeron) running 2K. *I'd suggest 95 rather than 98 on the second p100 (skip active desktop, use Opera and Open Office rather than IE & MS Office, it'll be WAY faster) If there are more than 32 Megs of RAM in this thing, take it out for the next PC. *Put Linux on the 133, and use that as a desktop. Add RAM from the 95 box to it. *Then go back and build the FTP and HTTPD stuff, then lastly, add Squid. Spend the next week or so reveling in your greatness. After that you'll hear people whining that it's time to upgrade the hardware. Welcome to the never ending desktop cycle.
