can I use an old PC as a router/firewall
 

Hi,

Looking for advice on setting up an old PC to act as a broadband router/firewall/storage facility for 2 HDDs.

I want to have the new PC as a dual boot between Windows XP home and either Suse or Cobind linux. However, I'm not confident enough to start tinkering with my modem (Speedtouch USB 330).

So, can I connect up the Speedtouch to the old PC, then use a crossover cable via both PCs Ethernet, and enjoy internet access throgh Suse???

Also, any hints and tips on setting the old PC up as purely a firewall/storage facility would be helpful. Is it easier to do this using Windows (dare I say in this forum, but bear in mind I'm a newbie!!!) or does Suse have better tools to do this.

Cheers!

Setting up an older computer to act as a router/firewall is relatively easy. The computer will require two NIC cards, probably one with a stic ip address and one dynamically thrown out by the ISP. The crossover cable idea is a good one. On the new computer set up the address of the older computer as the gateway. Make sure that the older computer will allow routing.

thanks Alan,

when you say 2 NIC cards, do you mean 2 need to be installed on the router PC or one on each PC? Both have Ethernet built in, can I use these to connect the PCs up?

2 NICs for the router is a typical installation if your connecting to a modem with an ethernet connection. Since you have a USB modem you need only one.

OK, just so as I 've got this right.

the modem I have (sppedtouch 330, details here)will plug into the router PC via a USB port. Can I then share the internet connection by taking a crossover cable out of the router PCs Ethernet and into the new PCs Ethernet?

Or, as I understand it, I need to install a NIC into the old PC as well?

Or.... would I be a lot better off trying to configure the Speedtouch for Linux - I understand you can do this but it involves tinkering with firmware etc, which I have downloaded from Thomson's site, but would need someone's help on th eforum to step through how to do.

Thanks for your info so far, it;s been really valuable! If I can get internet access sorted, I'll be a short step away to ditching Windows forever!!!!

Yes, in theory..... I've always had the advantage of an ethernet modem and so never had the luxury :) of getting a USB modem to work in linux.

If you'd like to turn your old computer into a firewall, in other words, its sole purpose is to act as a firewall/router, then I would recommend installing SmoothWall Express 2.0 onto it. http://www.smoothwall.org/get/ This is a linux distribution that turns a computer into a firewall/router, with web-based administration. I haven't tried it out myself, but from the documentation, screenshots, and other information, it seems to be pretty sweet.

smoothwall works great ;)... Mines been running solid for a few months now.

Cheers, will check it out

i forgot to add: if you want to install it, beware that it formats the entire drive, and you cannot prevent it from doing so during the installation.