Ok, first off i have no idea what i am doing! that out of the way, i have managed to set up a Mandrake Linux v8.0 box with dual NIC, one for the local and one for the internet. (duh) i used the mandriake control center to configure internet connection sharing which was really nice cause it automatically set up a DHCP server and either NAT or IPCHAINS i assume to share the connection. (i do not know how to tell what is running yet). so now i am happy cause my client computers can browse the net and so far i can play any game i want to - but i can't establish an FTP connection to any remote server :-( i get this error in response to the following PORT command: PORT 192,168,0,16,5,164 530 Only client IP address allowed for PORT command. that ip is my local ip, not the linux box ip? i assume this is the problem cause the ftp server will not let a non internet IP connect? but if NAT is working wouldn't it see me as the Linux IP? i don't have a clue how to troubleshoot this. a finger in the right direction (URL) would be very appreciated. thnks don