Home network problem ...
 

Hello everybody,


I have a server with slackware installed on it.
I have set this computer to connect to my internet provider and share the network with other computers in the network. The main role of this computer is to be a server and home router.

I have one 100mbps switch and I have plugged in the cable from my ISP and all other cables from home.

My problem is that the ISP changes their subnet from time to time and that conflicts with my settings and subnet... For instance 2 months ago their subnet was 192.168.1.0/24 ( 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.255 ) so that forced me to change my subnet - mainly because of dhcpd and some other services that I'm running on that server. Now I've noticed that there are 4-5 computers with the same subnet as mine... I don't have time to play cat and mouse with my ISP...
So I'm wondering if I get myself one more lan card, plug the ISP cable into eth0 interface and plug another cable going out from eth1 to the switch will that fix my problems ?

Also I've read some things about rp_filter ... Could somebody give me more accurate information about that ... or probably provide me with a link/tutorial explaining what exactly it does ?

Thanks in advance,
Alpha_hack

I've never known an ISP do that; I don't know how they could do that easily. Using addresses in the 192.168.x.y range (not routable over the internet) its difficult to do this without deliberately trying to hack into your network. Maybe, they are doing that, but it would be a surprise. And a reason to look for another ISP.

Are you absolutely sure that there isn't another explanation?

Well .. I don't have any other explanation ...
The problem is that I see the servers from my ISP in my local network and when I attempt to get an IP from dhcpd I get nowhere. Maybe there is another explanation but I'm not a network guru to know it :D
I know only some basic stuff to make things work, share the network and build a firewall ;)

Alpha_hack

If you are just using a switch between the cable modem and your computers then you really do not have a local LAN. Using a second network adapter on your server will solve your problems.

In the long run it is probably just easier and cheaper to pick up a cheap router. The Linksys wrt54g series have a lot of potential.

I don't follow. You are using a switch? What brand / model?

And your ISP is issuing you client addresses that are in private IP space?