Just new to linux and i want make my own firewall/router/gateway, from 1 of my spare computers,just like my d-link router that i purchased a couple of months ago.
i have downloaded Smoothwall beta version 2 and it works well, but i would like something that can have virtual servers and a printer server as well.

I would like to have a go at making my own installation from Redhat 8, but i don't know anything about compiling kernels, can someone point in the direction of some helpful tips for this adventure, or any all ready made version that are currently available.I have search the web but there is so much imformation available i don't know where to start.

Thanks from Fotoguy

compiling kernels are a breeze: HERE

If you take a look at the how-to you might say its too much information but if you just look at the meat of doing it --so to speak-- it's very simple.

dl the source to /usr/src
unpack it
make menuconfig or make config or make xconfig (if you have tk installed)
go through the options (Here is a good primer for this)
make dep
make bzimage (this one will take a bit of time possibly)
make modules
make modules_install

then check out
this(6.4) in order to set your boot manager

The ability to compile your own kernel is the coolest difference between Doz and Linux and other free os's (IMO)

Rather than all that effort, you may want to read my other post regarding firewall for home/small business system.

See: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...threadid=49087

You can use samba to set up your shared drives and printers, if you have pc's and/or mac's on the same network, and if that's what you mean by the above.

Thanks for the advice, i will give compiling a kernel a go soon, about to install either redhat 8 or mandkrake 9.0 on another spare computer i have. So i will use that as my workbench, so to speak.

I will let you know how i go
Thanks everyone