I've installed Ubuntu on this computer, although I'm going to switch to a slimmer quieter computer for this particular job. Here's the thing, I know little about linux. Every time I try to jump in the command lines etc confuse me. I'm becoming familiar with the file structure etc, but I've work win for so long it's a bit odd to me. This is what I want to do. Turn this box into a NAT/Firewall, etc. Easy to configure and figure out, etc. Another note, not that particularly familiar with Ip, networking, etc. Willing and able to learn of course. I'm going to be funning it to a switch and from there connect to computers, xbox, etc. If I could receive some postings to good beginners websites, howto's etc, that you think will be helpful I would be greatly appreciative. If in addition you can find a good way to make second server for video (up to HD) and stuff that I can access through my sec. computer, what would be fast enough etc. That would be great. Just a quick question. Does linux in any way support an NTFS file structure? I have about 1 TB in raid storage in NTFS, I don't want to lose it if I transfer it, but the only way I can think to achieve that is buy more drives and copy. Well, let me know any of these.

May want to take a look at SMOOTH WALL: http://www.smoothwall.org/ NTFS info: http://linux-ntfs.sourceforge.net/info/ntfs.html Keep the old stuff running

NAT routing firewall written for Ubuntu: http://rob.pectol.com/content/view/14/29/ Your Ubuntu box will read NTFS just fine and is pretty safe. However, writing to it is somewhat risky. Just mount your NTFS volume read-only and start transferring your data. Good luck! k_Rob - kk7av

The Linux Documentation Project has a wealth of information. For IP routing, masquerading, firewalling etc check out: http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/networking.html#NETROUTING For safe write support for NTFS: http://www.jankratochvil.net/project/captive/

Let me second "LinuxOS2"'s suggestion. Smoothwall will give you a web interface to the machine, and do all sorts of firewall-y things for you automatically. A great starting place.

YEAY! SMoothwall works great, I had to hit myself at first because when I was testing it I didn't use a crossover cable, cause I'm an idiot or somesuch. Thanks for the help.