Hi Folks

seems like this is a common request, but i've tried everything listed on similar threads and am having no luck.

i'm new to linux and have only basic networking knowledge
just installed mandrake 9.1 to be used as firewall/gateway
have separate windows xp pro box connected to linux box with x-over cable (which definitely works).
i will run adsl through linux once i can get the 2 bloody boxes to talk to each other!!

windows has onboard lan (which definitely works)
linux has rtl-8029 10Mbps as eth0 (192.168.0.1), and 3com 3c905b-txnm (10/100) as eth1 (192.168.0.2). subnet on both is 255.255.255.0 hopefully the fact the cards run at different speeds isn't the problem.

after 2 days frustration i worked out i had irq conflicts with the 2 cards sharing same irq. that's now sorted and i get all green lights on each card. and everything seems peachy in ifconfig. lo is in ifconfig too.

i have eth1 (192.168.0.2) connected to xp box with the cable.
xp ip is 192.168.0.10 (255.255.255.0). gateway is 192.168.0.2 (i think this is right).
xp can't ping linux and linux can't ping xp. on the linux box i can ping eth0 and eth1 ok. when i ping xp (192.168.0.10) from linux i see the light on the xp lan flash but get no response to the ping.

iptables is empty (ACCEPT ALL or similar) as it is a new installation with no firewall installed (it's not connected to the internet yet).

i think that covers everything. any ideas?

thanks in advance.
folks on this site seem very helpful ;o)

You have two interfaces on your Linux box (eth0 & eth1). They are both assigned to the same network, 192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0. This is bad. Assign the eth0 adapter some other address (in the future, it will be the adsl connection's IP) and try again.

thanx bentz
as i was typing this idea did pop into my head.
192.168.1.1 for eth0
192.168.0.1 for eth1 still

that will work, yes?, as the subnet is 255.255.255.0

Ya, that should work.

bummer
i used 192.168.2.1 for eth0 and
192.168.1.1 for eth1
still doesn't work

in ifcfg network is 192.168.0.0
broadcast is 192.168.0.255
is this right?

xp lan connection is NOT firewalled, either. forgot to mention that.

i'm sure it's going to be something simple. i just don't know what it is.
it's bloody late here in this part of the world. i've got to get some sleep. i'll check back in the morning and see if there's any more suggestions.

thanx for your help so far.

Your /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 file only needs to contain the following information:

DEVICE=eth0
BOOTPROTO=none
ONBOOT=yes
IPADDR=192.168.2.1
NETMASK=255.255.0.0

and as long as the cable and NICs are good, and the XP machine has a similar address (192.168.2.2 and 255.255.0.0) you should be good to go!

problem solved.
i shall post the reason in case anyon else searching has the same problem.
it was something simple. my antivirus software has a built-in firewall, which i installed so long ago i forgot about it.
disabled that - everytyhings working as it should.
i'm such an idiot.
d o h

thanks for your help bentz