Viable Lunux/BSD implementation?

[Jonitus]

This coming week, my fiance and I are going to be moving into a new apartment. We are going to have a DSL line for internet access. I was hoping to save some time and trouble by doing the following:

Use my computer (dual processor rig) for the gateway, router, and firewall of our "network". My fiance would connect to the internet through my system via another NIC installed in my machine. Her system is running Windows 2000. I am not concerned with being able to "see" her computer, so samba should not be a concern, should it?

I am opposed to using "internet connection sharing" through windows, so I figured Linux/BSD would be my best course of action. I am also concerned with saving some money, and do not want to buy the expensive equipment of the DSL carrier.

Can I do this, or am I better off pi$$ing up a rope?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jonitus

 

[MrCookie]

Shouldn't one of those Linksys broadband routers do the trick? Those are only like $100 new, so you might be able to find one in the used/sale forum for cheaper.

 

[Nothinman]

You only need Samba if you want to share files via SMB, you could use scp or FTP without Samba.

All you should need is to setup PPPoE (if your provider uses that, and most DSL providers do) and an ipchains or iptables script to setup the NAT and firewalling.

Also realize a SMP box is way overkill for a job like this, I would suggest getting a 'hardware' one or finding an old Pentium someone threw away unless you plan on using this box for a workstation too.

 

[Jonitus]

I am trying to avoid buying any equipment, if Linux/BSD could do the job. I plan on using my system as a workstation. I know my system is overkill, but it's what I've got. I just figured that my system would be better suited to the task than hers.

It would also be a fine opportunity for me to finally shed my fears and learn a new OS.

 

[manly]

I've ran a Linux firewall/NAT box in the past.

Right now, I'd instead shell out $40 for a little SOHO router. Some even come with a built-in print server which is nice to have (although they don't support bidirectional transfers required by some all-in-one printers).

The only good reason to go with the Linux/BSD box is if you have specific "power" requirements, e.g. very custom firewalling or plan to set up a VPN over the Internet (freeswan IPSec). For the other 98 out of 100 of us, a SOHO router is a better choice.

Personally, I prefer Linux firewalling/NAT over Winblows ICS, which is quite basic/inflexible. You can still run whichever OS of your choice (i.e. Linux) on your SMP workstation.

 

[Tiger]

If you've never run Linux/BSD of any sort you'd be miles ahead in time and frustration to just spend the $80 on a broadband router. This is not newbie territory.

 

[mcveigh]

Originally posted by: Tiger
If you've never run Linux/BSD of any sort you'd be miles ahead in time and frustration to just spend the $80 on a broadband router. This is not newbie territory.

ditto

 

[Jonitus]

Thanks for all the help. I guess my original plan was a little out of my league. I'll pick up a router someplace so my fiance and I can have internet access, then I'll move my system over to Linux or BSD sometime in the future.

Good help all, thank you.