Switches/DHCP/DNS/Servers/new network

[requiemforlife]

Just a couple days ago my Netgear router stopped working. This kind of came at a bad time because I was hoping to sent up a small server behind the router that would eventually take its place. But I guess that I will have to do that sooner. I will need to set up this network now.

I plan on using the server for DNS, DHCP, ICS, a file/print server, possibly a VPN. It is a p3 700 with 256 MB or ram and a pretty large hard drive running windows 2k adv server. I am asumming these are good enough specs if not to much. Networks are kind of new to me so bear with me:

My plan in this picture (44 KB, drew it in like 10 seconds): http://home.attbi.com/~duffman/Network.jpg

Thats pretty much my question: would that be a good network setup? if not then what would you propose I do? If it is then what kind of switch should I buy (fairly cheap but still has quality) Any other commments would be appreciated

 

[sohcrates]

That's pretty much EXACTLY my network at home with my cable modem.

As long as you don't mind having a machine running 24-7 as a router, it works great.

Any old switch will do. If cost is a factor, dlink and linksys make some pretty affordable switches

 

[requiemforlife]

forgot to mention this in my post, I only have one ip address so the server will have to do NAT (assign MAC addresses)
is this easy to configure in Win2k adv server?

 

[sohcrates]

<< forgot to mention this in my post, I only have one ip address so the server will have to do NAT (assign MAC addresses)
is this easy to configure in Win2k adv server? >>



yep...NAT is relatively easy to setup. much better than ICS

 

[Woodie]

How were you planning to firewall your server from the Internet? you weren't really going to put a server with all your personal stuff on it, and the full control of your network, directly on to the public internet, were you?? ;/

 

[requiemforlife]

yes I would install a couple of software firewalls and maybe get around to a hardware one eventually. my philosipy (sp) is that if someone really wants to hack into my computer then they will, no matter what kind of software they have. good software firewall will keep out most of the hackers.

 

[requiemforlife]

another question.. would I need a special NIC to make one go to WAN and one to LAN??

 

[sohcrates]

<< another question.. would I need a special NIC to make one go to WAN and one to LAN?? >>



nope. just 2 regular nic's

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< yes I would install a couple of software firewalls and maybe get around to a hardware one eventually. my philosipy (sp) is that if someone really wants to hack into my computer then they will, no matter what kind of software they have. good software firewall will keep out most of the hackers. >>



Thats a common philosophy, and true to a point, but there is no reason you shouldnt do your best to protect your network. That said, TPF should work fine (from what Ive seen) as a simple solution.