Hi,
I would like to set up a home network which uses a linux configured pc as file server and firewall for 3 to 5 WXP machines.
Which is the smallest and easiest way of achieving this?
Thanks in advance for all suggestions.
linbo --- another newbie who wants to learn!

Hi linbo,

Better don't use the firewall to protect data on the same box - better get another box (How about killing one XP thing for it ) to do the firewall (if you want it "the easy way", take something like IPCop, if you want to do it "barefoot", take iptables).

debian (my favorite) makes a great file server - install it without X, just samba and the file tools you wish, and it makes an antique, say, 300MHz 128 MB box a friggin file server.

My 2 cents.

Hi PBSchmidt,

thx for the "XP-killer" hint.... I'll think it over.

actually I have just the antique machine you mentioned, an old notebook without screen... I guess that will do the job.

/linbo

Consider using Smoothwall Express, a very easy to use firewall with a browser interface.

RE: the laptop -- can you get more than one NIC in it? You will need at least 2.

Greetings Linbo
floppy here

Good idea of PBSchmidt to separate firewall and file server into two machines

Smoothwall, Openwall ( Owl ) make good firewalls
Very good / detailed docs for Smoothwall

I currently looking at Mitel SME Server 6.0 for a file server
( formerly e-smith ) you could even activate the firewall on the server if
you were really paranoid

Re scrapping one of your XP boxes
Check out your local auction
My local tertiary educational institution regularly scraps
old ( 4 yrs ) computers due to tax purposes
Thats how I bought all ( 8 ) my computers
worth a look
Something else to think of : if you have critical data
consider an "Uninterruptable Power Supply"
for your firewall and file server at least

Just remember to get a disto with plenty of very good documentation
for your firewall and file-server
( official docs, how-to's etc )
If the distro supports a web forum all the better
you WILL run into problems and forums like these
make your life a lot easier

floppy