Networking is new to me. I'd like to have my own Linux internet server and use a network to allow it, and 1 or 2 other PC's online access. The linux server would be a host for a low traffic website I play with/hobby. Also allowing me to learn more about writing PERL/CGI scripts. A PC for my use, bookkeeping, games, scanning, web browsing.. WINDOWS based.. XP?? and possibly one PC for the kids, all the great restrictions on it for internet and such. Question: which would be the main server? Would it be MY PC? and the linux and kids PC's link to it? Which system would be cable/modemed to the internet.. MY PC or the Linux? Based on that.. how "buff" does the Linux need to be? (I have a 10GB HD, AMD K6 300mghz with 120 meg RAM ofice computer.. that enough for the Linux?) I just wasn't sure which direction to start in. I was about to spend $700+ on a high speed system for Linux, and realized I might not need it. It might be better as my main WinXP system, and use this old office system for the Linux.

You have not said how you want to connect them? (Router, hub, switch) what will you be doing on the Linux box? (Graphical user interface or just command line) if you want to run apache you will not need a graphical user interface in fact if you set it up right you will never need to do any work from your Linux box, you will be able to login from your windows box. I would recommend that if you are not exactly familiar with the Linux sweet you might want to buy a book on say red hat.

well there are any number of ways to set this up. But you still need to consider some security issues relating to the way you set up your network. first you have a slow computer with linux on you want to use as a server for experimentation. Next you need to look at what type of internet connection you'll be using. 56K, DSL, Cable? thenyou need to decide if you want to share just the internet connections or if you also want to share files and printers among your locally networked computers. from the internet side you are looking at a modem to router connection or a modem to server to router connection. From a logical standpoint you again examine security and decide on the type of protocols the computers will communicate with. Some of these decisions will be determined by the capabilities of the router you select. Yah this is all more questions. in my case I use a wireless router with several built in functions that allow me to connect my 3 computers to the internet directly through a router to DSL modem setup. each operate independently and can share files between each other and the printer connected to my computer. But because I can and want to take advantage of the full capabilities of Win2K, (mainly remote administration of the other computers) I’m about to put a server between the router and the modem. This allows me to setup a real, full blown network and have all the computers communicate with the internet via a common proxy server. Then I can setup upgrades and a common set of firewall rules to protect all the computers without having to go to each, make separate adjustments. one of the other advantages here is you can track internet usage and block offensive sites from their access.

he can't do what you did and if he tries with that Linux server and it gets over loaded then you will cause major slow down on the network, because all connections must go threw and get filtered by the server never put a system with a webpage as the backbone of a network he is networking with Linux witch means he might need to know about such things as samba (not the dance the program that allows printers to be shared on a Linux network). how about you tell us a bit more about what you need so we can give you a more tailer made response :)

"never put a system with a webpage as the backbone of a network" a VERY good point aitrus16. he could develope it there but would have to go to a web hosting site or maybe his ISP to publish it. I haven't had the opportunity to play with linux as yet, I've only read what others have done. As far as the performance of the server, i guess the connection speed and content would be defining aspects of that.

Sorry about being vague abotu some important points, but it's because I'm not sure. I'm still learning/exploring my options. Like how I'll be connected to the internet. Ideally, I'd like cable modem, but it's pretty pricey here in fairbanks, alaska. about $50/month, then also add static IPP costs (or something like that) for the web server.. I've seen wireless set ups around here that look impressively fast too, butt I havent found the price on it yet. I have even less understanding about DSL or if it would suit my needs. Being new to networking, I don't know which directions the flow would go. I'd 'think' that I would have PC:1 my newest/fastest and main use PC w/WinXP as the backbone.. with PC:2 the kids/wifes PC being a so-so WinXP with basic HD/RAM CPU speed , and PC:3 as the linux/website server. I'd 'think' that I'd have PC2 and PC1 access internet thru PC3 (Linux). I'd like to have graphic interface on the Linux for the linux maintenance, HD partition work.. file cleaning.. scritping work.. etc. (although I am fairly comfortable with command line access if needed). I'd like to have the ability to do the same work on the Linux but from PC1. Is all that likely and the most practical? As for the linux web server, I dont forsee it getting more than a dozen hits a day. So I didn't think it would need to be fast. Other than that, I figured it would just be acting as the other PC's 'modem/connection' to the internet via it's (cable modem, DSL, wireless connection). and still not need alot of juice/speed. But I'm probly wrong.

chances are you will need a router. So why not have the cable modem connect to the router in the uplink port and connect the other computers into the other 4 ports of the router. D-link has some good routers with firewalls. This way the traffic would not be a problem and you would not be at the mercy of your Linux box. While you can still use everything a full-blown network can do. but remember to program the router. You can even use authentication on your server for security.