I have just installed cable internet which works well with Win98 however I would like to add a linux machine to my small network to learn more about Linux. I am using Caldera e2.4 commercial version. What I am looking for is some help in setting this up. I know very little about Linux especialy setting up a network. The two machines I am using work well running Win98. Linux seamed to install with little problem it reconised my network card any guidence would be apreaciated.

1) Get a router/firewall like the Linksys BEFSR41 (about $135)
2) Connect output from cable modem to input of router
3) Connect your 3 computers into the router (2 Win98/1 Linux box)
4) You easily set the router to either static IP addresses for your computers, or set the router to be the DHCP (dynamic host control protocol) server for your LAN. I have done it both ways, and it works either way.
5)Set the Win 98 machines in Net Neighborhood | Properties | TCP/IP Protocol | Properties to either a static address which you select (192.168.1.x) (subnet 255.255.255.0) or select 'Obtain IP address automatically' (the DHCP option). Obviously, your choice has to match the setting of your router.
6) In Linux, assuming all your machines are pingable from every other computer, open the Network config utility used in KDE (default for Caldera). Plug in your IP address and subnet, make sure the card is 'active' and select the method for obtaining the IP address: either 'none' if you assigned it or 'DHCP' if that's what you're using.
7) Get samba (www.samba.org); check online resources for the lastest version available for your version of Linux; that would be samba 2.0.10. Find the .rpm file for caldera eDesktop 2.4, if one is available.
8) Check the How-to for Samba to get it set up.
9) Browse your network.

As an alternative, you might want to think about getting a second NIC. Put it in the Linux machine, and set that machine to be the firewall and DHCP server and Proxy server for your cable modem for your LAN. Then run the second NIC to a simple hub, (about $40) and connect your Win98 machines to that. You would also need samba in order to browse the linux machine from windows. There are lots of resources on the web that explain all this in detail, and there's help in these forums too.

Regards,
Sully

"Don't panic. Always carry your toothbrush." D. Adams

Dave,

I assume if you have cable internet that you already have a router. do you currently have three pc's on your network or just two and what is your network configuration at present? two boxes direct conneted or three that are running to a hub?

My current configuration is as follows.
Computer 1 running Windows 98 second
Computer 2 running Caldera e2.4 Linux
Cable Modem
All devices are connected through a hub.
DaveSt

ok I still have not had any succes. I have done some changes, I noticed that the network card was not set up and could not find a driver for it. I have changed the network card to a D-LINK DE-528. The disk that came with it has a linux driver but I don't know how to set this up. Can you give me some guide lines?