How to create a network fedora+slackware

marciobarbalho · 01-16-2008, 08:44 PM

Hello guys,

well, I'd like to know how to create a network, two machines, slackware and fedora. So what would be the most useful peripheral for this, a hub, switch, or a router? I got cable net, so, how can I share this service for both the systems (machines) ? What would be the rules (configuration), procedure?

Thanks in advance

indeliblestamp · 01-16-2008, 11:38 PM

You could use a switch if you want to skip the configuration parts(there isn't any). Just plug the switch in and connect lan cables to both your pc's and you should be good to go.
You could use a router as well, and the only configuration on your PC's would be to use the ipaddresses allocated by your router, not the one given by your ISP.

Let's assume your ISP's gateway address is 192.168.1.1. If you put a switch, this is how your network ought to look like:

Code:

<----isp-----------[switch]------[PC1 (192.168.1.10)]
 (192.168.1.1)        |__________[PC2 (192.168.1.11)]

If you use a router instead of a switch, only the subnet would change, like so:

Code:

<----isp-----------------[router]-----------[PC1 (192.168.0.10]  
  (192.168.1.1)   (192.168.1.2/192.168.0.1)  
                             |_____________[PC2 (192.168.0.11)]

Not sure if there's any reason to go for a hub, switches are dirt cheap these days and are a much better option. Go for a wireless router if you also have a laptop: you can use cables for your desktop PCs and wireless for your laptop.

marciobarbalho · 01-20-2008, 06:58 PM

Ok, thanks for your help. But actually I am a newbie to linux/sharing and I'd like to get more details about that.
I mean... How to do this? How to configure this? Is there a quick guide? If I go for a switch... Does it imply that machine has to be on all the time?

Thanks in advance

indeliblestamp · 01-20-2008, 11:46 PM

Just edit slackware's /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1.conf file with the IP address details. If your ISP uses dhcp, your file should look like this:

Code:

    IPADDR[0]=""
    NETMASK[0]=""
    USE_DHCP[0]="YES"
    DHCP_HOSTNAME[0]=""

Then further at the bottom:

    GATEWAY="x.x.x.x"

If you want to specify your own address, set the USE_DHCP flag to ''NO'', and add the IP address and subnet mask in the previous two lines. There should be a similar file for Fedora. IIRC, if you run system-network-config you'll get a pretty GUI to fill up the stuff in Fedora.
Yes, your switch will need to be on as long as at least one of your machines is on.
Skim through slackbook's network config chapter for a more thorough guide on the process.