I am currently running a small network at home.

PC1 is running windows XP
PC2 is running windows 2000
PC3 is running IPCOP linking my other PCs to my internet connection.
PC4 is my laptop running windows 2000

I am thinking of installing Mandrake 9.2 as a dual boot on PC3, with the intention of getting it running to replace the IPCOP install.

I have been trying to get Mandrake 9.2 running on my PC at work so I can play with it as a learning tool, but I'm having a few problems with it so am now wondering about sticking Mandrake 9.2 straight on to the one at home.

I would like to learn Linux which is my primary reason for installing mandrake, I don't want it to just be that box in the corner like the Ipcop, I would like it to become the PC I use everyday. With this in mind I would like to get Mandrake 9.2 installed and running but would really need a firewall running on it.


Any suggestions on where I should start, and what I need what I should avoid.

Thanks

Well basically all linux home/small office firewalling is danced around netfilter/iptables ( http://netfilter.org ). The moderator of our linux-security forum - unSpawn - has made a lot of effort putting together security concepts here for you to start with. I am pretty sure query for "iptables how-to", "iptables tutorial" will yeild thousands of results on http://www.google.com/linux as well.

Thanks, Just checked out the Security forum...

I have a lot of reading to do