Hi, I'm a complete Linux n00b, and I'm trying to set up my network. I have a dual boot with both Red Hat Linux and Windows XP, and I'm trying to set it up so that when I'm using either OS, a second computer running on my network has the internet. Under XP, I have ICS running, so that's not a problem. I just need to know how to set it up in Linux so that it works.

My network is set up so that the cable modem is connected to this PC, the one I'm trying to set up, and then through a second network card, this PC is connected to a second computer running Windows XP.

Any help would be excellent! Thanks a lot.

You need to set up Ip masquerading. This should help

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/IP-Masquerade-HOWTO/

Ok, now if I have the client machine set up with ICS, will I still have to make the changes to the client's settings that the HOWTO tells me to do? Or will the settings for ICS be the same, since it's just pointing to my computer?

The settings should be the same. Just post again if you have any problems.

I've looked at that how-to, and it looks to me like it's setting up a firewall along with the MASQ. Now, I don't really want a firewall, is neither of these computers have anything important on them, and firewalls have gotten in my way before. Now, is there a way to not have a firewall in place, but still have MASQing, or perhaps, is this firewall's default security low, so it might not bother me?

[EDIT]

Ok, now, I think I have another issue. This is with Linux seeing my actual hardware. I have it set up so eth1 is the card that is connected to my modem, and eth0 is the card connected to the second computer. The problem is, for whatever reason, Linux cannot activate eth0. I put in the address for the network, 192.168.0.1, and then the subnet mask. Well, if you can help anymore, that would be great. Thanks.

This is all you need
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/IP-Masquer...FIREWALL-2.4.X

It sets the default policies to accept for the input and output chain it will not block anything.

About the nic what is the output when you issue the command /sbin/ifconfig eth0 And what distro are you running?