turn Mandriva into a router. Help Me please!!!!
 

hello,
first i'd like to apologize for my english am not so good :o
i have no clue how to transfer a virtuel Machine "Mandriva" -running on VMmwar- into a router so i could be able to realize my local network that consist on 2 other virtuel machines running also on MAndriva".
So could you please help me with the steps am so new to Linux world :cry:

Hi, welcome to LQ

This is a 2 step project, so let start with the VM part. You could actually clone the disk into your physical target disk, but this is stupid. Better do a clean install by downloading the CD or DVD. I also suggest using Ubuntu instead of Mandriva so you can follow this (great) guide http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=716192 . This guide help you build a very nice router, but you have to understand that managing a Linux router using the command line is powerful, but also (very) complicated if you never did anything like it. There is a few great Linux or BSD based firewall ready to install / use. My favorite one are PFSense and OpenWRT.

I use a Linux box as router, just as you want to. It is awesome and my knowledge of the linux command line interface allow me to do some crazy stuff, but it may not be the easiest way to learn Linux. Using a preconfigured router distribution is much easier.

A few problems are apparent.

First, virtual machines are sand boxed, that is isolated from influencing the host computer and others around them. This makes them poor candidates for interacting with regular machines.

You need to use a real physical computer with 2 or more NICs to make a router, not a simulation of a computer.

Second, Mandriva has always emphasized the desktop client more then the server side. It is a fine distro, but for a server, I'd try Fedora. You can install server modules and the server kernel right from the DVD & still have a machine that you can use.

Both Mandriva and Fedora are missing multimedia codecs. You have to get these after installation by adding repositories and libraries.

These aren't needed for a router.

Having said all that, buying a router wired or wireless might be easier. Wireless routers still have 4 Ethernet ports.

Actually, no you don't. The OP states that he wants to build a virtual router for his network that consists of two virtual machines. Besides the VM host, no physical parts involved.

@katy: You may have more luck with finding documentation for your purpose when you use a server distribution instead of a distribution that is primrily meant for desktop use.
For example CentOS: http://blog.malaya-digital.org/setup...t-squid-proxy/
Or Debian: http://brian.serveblog.net/2011/07/3...-based-router/

I guess each VM could link to a physical router. Still, it adds another layer of complexity.

I have always viewed VMs as a testing method for something destined to be physically built or set up at another time. A good example is seeing if a disto will work with your hardware.