Mandrake 9.1 as firewall
 

Hi, I'm very new with Linux so I have few questions about it
1. Can I, as I've been told to, install and set up Mandrake 9.1 for firewall (internet server-gateway) ?
2. Is it neccesary to start KDE desktop? Or, can I have it running in some "lighter" mode?
3. Where can I find some quick instructions to do these things?
- General idea is to have a Windows based network with internet access trough Linux base firewall- If you have any suggestions, I'll be glad to hear them

THANKS:Pengy:

Can I, as I've been told to, install and set up Mandrake 9.1 for firewall (internet server-gateway) ?
Yes, you will to active IP forwarding and masquerading and learn to use iptables. There are GUI tools that can help you setup a firewall in Linux.


Is it neccesary to start KDE desktop? Or, can I have it running in some "lighter" mode?
There are many different Desktops available for Linux (KDE, GNOME, Ximian, IceWin, WindowMaker, etc)


Where can I find some quick instructions to do these things?
If you do a search on LQ, you will find many threads concerning iptables, ip masquerading and firewalls in Linux.


IP forwarding and masquerading
http://www.linux.org/docs/ldp/howto/...WTO/index.html

Ok, I'll try that tomorow
I have to set up a modem first, winmodem problems(Shark USB and USR V90 ISA modem) ... Can I use Zoltrix FM336i (older but not a winmodem)?

Yes, I don't see why that modem would not work in Linux.

As for starting up Linux in a "lighter mode", you don't need to boot in a GUI at all. Once the system is set-up as a firewall and internet server, you can have it start in runlevel 3 which is the non-graphical mode.

Ok, thanks, now next question- if for any reason zoltrix won't work, what type of modem should I buy - something that installs easy and linux recognize itself?

Lemme jump in here real quick and ask something...

You are looking for a linux firewall on a dial up network to masquerade/filter/"firewall" your windoze boxes? On a dial up connection?

Just curious...

External modems are nearly guaranteed to work, but you'll pay for em because of that. Check out the hardware section as I'm sure there'll be a few modems mentioned "not" to buy, that'll help narrow it down a bit. Also, check Mandrake's HCL - Hardware Compatibility List as well as redhat's:
http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl/

With mandrake it shouldn't be much of a problem once you get the drive, but that's really probably an understatement.

:)

Cool

have you thought about using shorewall on your mandrake box?

it rocks.

http://shorewall.net/

Well, I've visited HCL site and found out that I will have to buy a new modem, any how, thanks for informations, now I have to check that "shorewall"