Thus spake Thomas Halahan: > > Hi, > > Looking for a few pointers as how to best set up a small > office network. Basically can install debian on the > machines but don't really know how to join them in the > simplest way (4 machines). I want the server to be the > gateway to the internet. I've tried linux conf at setting > up gateways etc but no luck. I've also tried 'routed' (is > this the right thing?). Can't be bother to fiddle with > 'route add' every time I boot - there must be a standard > way in debian. > > Also how can i set up the server to dial in to the internet > by ppp and allow the other machines to access the internet > through it. > > I guess i need some pointers as to the pertinent conf files > and commands and whether there are any good config > applications out there. > > Any key-words / suggestions very welcome. > > Thanks Tom You'll want to look into port forwarding, IP masquerading, and perhaps firewalling/connection tracking. The basic arrangement, if I understand you right, is 4 boxes, say A-D. A dials up, and then shares it's connection with the rest via a hub/switch, whatever. in /etc/network/interfaces, leave the ppp0 section as you have it (presumably it works already?) and then set up a section for eth0. The easiest way is to do it with a static IP, although you can use dhcp or whatever else. On A, you'll need to do all the hard parts - a google search for iptables (2.4.x kernel) or ipchains(2.2.x kernel) will tell you tons. Cat 5 cable to hub, then B,C,D each plug in. They all take static IP's, with A's IP address as their gateway.You want to make sure at this point you can ping all the different boxes by IP, then worry about DNS. You can either specify DNS servers (run your own or use any of several external ones) or let you dial up set them for you - they should be written in /etc/resolv.conf when you dial in, and other linux boxes (I think) can read this file from the gateway. Then last, worry about shared services (printing, file sharing, etc.) Have fun! Steve -- To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. -- Thomas Edison
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