ok,

so this is the first exposure I have had to linux, and its entire environment. i've been raised on windows, and i am used to it.

I have installed Redhat 8.0 on my old desktop, in the hopes it will serve as an effective webserver and save me money. I also need it to share my DSL internet connection.

The linux box has created "eth0", "eth1", and "ppp0". ppp0 refers to my internet connection, which *works* over eth0. eth1 isn't being listed correctly as the right model of NIC.

I have been trying to follow the HOWTO for IP Masquerading, but it is just too complex - I don't think that I should have to write code/scripts/etc just to share the darn connection - shouldn't linux do this for me? point and click? I am very confused, and the HOWTO is just making me angry.

Is there an easy was? A windows-user friendly method?

Please help.

The thing I like about Linux is that it's not point and click--you have the freedom to do things as you want them done. You might want to check your /etc/modules.conf file to make sure that your aliases are properly set up for eth0 and eth1. Did you do a "modprobe" yet for your eth0 and eth1 cards with the proper modules (drivers)? You said you were using DSL. ppp tends to refer to your dial up but I could be wrong here--I used it when I was in dial up land, but now that I'm on cable I don't think it's used anymore. There are several websites out there on IP Masquerading that might have the language more geared to those of us who are still new to it--the HOWTOs can get pretty daunting at times.

With Linux, you have to try to get out of the "windows-user" mentality. Just because something is "user friendly" doesn't make it good or easy--just a thought. Hope this helps