Netoworking suggestions. Linux server and 40 clients
 

I've been set in charge of setting up a 40 client network over in Iraq. The internet access will be coming in over a 2mbit down and a 256up satellite connection. I want to run a linux server as a gateway / firewall / web cache in between the net and the local network. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what to expect with this? I'm not starting for about another week or so when the equipment arrives and am willing to listen to most people.

One question off the top of my head is for the linux gateway what kind of hardware would need to be run for this?

All the clients will be running either win 2000 or xp except for 3. I don't need to worry about file sharing or prnter sharing at all. All the clients need is just net access.

I'm mostly lookin for some ideas or anything that is peculiar with a satellite net connection. Thanks for any help or ideas.

i use squid cache proxy (transparent) and iptables for internet access.
squid only works for http request, other request like smtp pop3 ftp etc. are allowed by NAT (iptables). i also use squidGuard to block http access to unwanted sites (porno addware etc.).

i have a standart pc - p4 1.7 cpu, 256 mb ram and 80+80 gig hdd. it works also as a file server.

start to install linux. let us know what s your distro. there are some sites u can get help.
www.netfilter.org ->iptables offical web site
www.squid-cache.org
www.squidguard.org
www.iptables-script.dk -> a cool iptables script generator.

Thanks, I was looking at using squid and iptables but I have never really used either before. I'm looking at using possibly Crux linux for the base since it's what I use for my desktop system and it works well. The hardware wise that I have for the server is a via EPIAM10000 with 256meg ram and a 80 gig HD. Has 2 e100 ports in it so will act as a gateway. Hopefully that is enough to just act as a dumb terminal with the only access being thru ssh. I will look through those websites and hopefully be able to set it up. Can you possibly suggest a small distro for network security since this computer will be exposed to the net? I'm pretty familar with linux and willing to compile / run anything so this works. My main concern is stability so I don't have 39 mad soldiers not be able to e-mail home :)