Have an extra old computer and want to make it into a router

[Comp625]

Hey,

I have an extra AMD 200mhz lying around in my basement. Rest assured, it works (my dad uses it on occasion when all the other comps in the house are in use). First of all, I have OptimumOnline (cable service) that offers a 5 megabit/1 megabit connection. My goal is to set up a router using this old machine and not have the router bottleneck my speeds. I really don't want to (or have the funds) go out and spend $80 on a commercial router.

I have heard of LinuxRouter.org but considering that I have never worked with Linux, that may be a bit out of my league. Is there any Windows/DOS proggies that will let me designate the role of the old computer as a router?

I'd prefer that the computer be headless (no monitor). I can plug in a temporary monitor in order to set things up, but I don't believe I can keep that monitor hooked onto the computer for an extended amount of time. I understand I am going to need a NIC for the old comp if I am going to make it into a router. Is there anything else that I need to make that machine into a router?

AMD 200mhz
128mb EDORam
1.2gb hard drive
S3 Virge vid card
Soundblaster 16 ISA
6x CD-Rom drive

 

[ktwebb]

Before you give up on Linux check these links out. Floppy based Linux firewall/router distro. If you don't like it or can't make it work, pop out the floppy and try something else. Virtually pain free.

http://lrp.steinkuehler.net/

http://www.dalantech.com/coyote.shtml

 

[cipher00]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but look here.

 

[jhu]

for a router, lose the sound card and harddrive and install freesco. freesco's more user friendly than linuxrouter. if you're also going to use it as a file server, keep the harddrive and install linux or a bsd.

you're going to need two network cards for your router, one connected to your internal network, and the other to the cable modem. thats about it.

you can also install windows nt/2k but going the unix route makes you more l33t

 

[Comp625]

Wow I can use my old computer as a file server AND a router? Cool!

Which piece of software is easiest to use? I already have Win95 loaded onto that old comp. I really don't want to mess with Linux.

So the computer is going to have to have 2 NICs inside of it. 1 is gonna be to hook to my cable modem. What did you mean by "the 2nd nic connects to your internal network"? Do you mean the other comp that I want to network it with?

I'm a networking newbie so if possible, I'd like for things to go smoothly on the first try.

 

[Iron Woode]

<<So the computer is going to have to have 2 NICs inside of it. 1 is gonna be to hook to my cable modem. What did you mean by "the 2nd nic connects to your internal network"? Do you mean the other comp that I want to network it with?>>


Yes. I am doing it right now.

If you are just looking for a firewall/router/webserver/printserver/etc... try freesco. Its easy to setup and the forum at their website is helpfull.

I can't stress this enough: use PCI nics.

 

[Comp625]

I think I'm gonna go with Freesco.

I'm gonna read thorugh the manual first. Already I am stumped.... what does this mean?



<< The main disadvantage of FREESCO - it doesn't have dynamic routing feature, it can be only a static router. >>

 

[Comp625]

Another question. How many NICs am I gonna need?

My Computer (with the cable modem installed) already has a NIC in it.

The computer (that will become the router) has NO NICs installed.

The computer that I want to network with has NO NICs either.

 

[BlitzRommel]

<< Another question. How many NICs am I gonna need?

My Computer (with the cable modem installed) already has a NIC in it.

The computer (that will become the router) has NO NICs installed.

The computer that I want to network with has NO NICs either. >>



All of your computer should have one NIC except the router, which should have two (or more depending on your router's role) If you can't spare the extra slot, get a dual-port NIC. Intel's dual-NICS have excellent linux support.

 

[PlatinumGold]

i haven't tried all the others posted, but smoothwall is really easy to use. i can't imagine anything being easier than this. it's pretty self explanatory. plus web site guides you thru installation.

it's linux based, but linux is going to be better than windows, cause windows uses too much resources.

 

[Iron Woode]

<< haven't tried all the others posted, but smoothwall is really easy to use. i can't imagine anything being easier than this. it's pretty self explanatory. plus web site guides you thru installation.>>


Seriously, Freesco is a so easy its almost scary. I knew absolutely nothing about Linux and routers and such, and I managed to get freesco up and running in 10 mins. I also use the hard drive for it.

Freesco is all linux and routing through it is super quick. A very good software router.

 

[Comp625]

This is the dumbest question I've ever asked on these boards: So am I gonna need to install Linux on the router-computer?

 

[monckywrench]

http://www.freesco.net/cgi-bin/forum/UltraBoard.cgi

 

[FatMan42]

Have an extra old computer and want to make it into a router
I'd like to try the same thing. Only difference is that the DSL modem is USB-connected (Alcatel Speed-Touch). Can I still use one of those stripped-down Linux router progs, or do I need to look elsewhere?

 

[Wik]

<< The main disadvantage of FREESCO - it doesn't have dynamic routing feature, it can be only a static router >>




The freesco manual has not been revised in a while and this is no longer an issue. Here is a list on what you will need.

1. Old computer with a floppy drive and 2 NICS
2. One NIC per client computer
3. A hub/switch to network everything together
4. A little common sense and a full read of the manual before you start

 

[Wik]

Also, the Freesco forums have been down for several months now. Untill they are fixed there, freescosoft.com is hosting the forums.

Here is the link.

 

[Comp625]

<<
3. A hub/switch to network everything together
>>



Uh oh...

I don't have a hub or a switch to network everything together. I thought the router was suppose to do that... and since I don't have $100 to shell out for a router (that's why I'm doing the freesco thing in the first place)...how am I gonna get the money for a hub/switch?

 

[Comp625]

It's late so I really don't know what I'm reading right now...but I stumbled upon this page on the Freesco Manual. After skimming it, my interpretating is that Freesco only supports a certain set of NICs that you can use in the router? Is this true? Or can you just pop in any common NIC and it'll work?

Also, if Freesco only works with those NICs on the list, does the list apply to the client computers (eg my computer & the downstairs computer that I want to hook up via the freesco router).

 

[ttn1]

The list of NICs is just for the NICs in the router computer. The other computer you want to network doesn't have to be
on the list. I've never tried FREESCO, but all the other router software I have used prefers PCI NICs. Mainly because
they can be autodetected. If you end up using old ISA NICs be prepared to play around with them for a few hours/days.

If you just network one computer, you can use a crossover cable to connect your other computer to the router. A crossover
cable can usually be purchased at most computer stores. If you want to network more than one computer, pick up an old
hub or switch. Just go for the cheapest one you can find. Usually less than $20. Swap meets are wonderful for setting
up a network for cheap. Just expect to do a little more "tinkering" than you would with that $100 router from your
favorite computer store.

<edit> Just pop in NICs you have lying around and see if they work. You may get lucky. The installation doesn't take very long
and the more times you install the more you will learn.

 

[BlitzRommel]

I have a cheap 10B-T 3Com hub, 4 ports, you can use if you need it until you get a better setup.

 

[Wik]

<< don't have a hub or a switch to network everything together. I thought the router was suppose to do that >>



Well if you only had one computer to connect to the router, then a crossover cable would work. If you have 2 computers that need to connect to the router you could install a third NIC. Freesco supports 3 NICs. But for the price of the 3rd NIC you could find a cheap hub ($10).



<< supports a certain set of NICs that you can use in the router >>



This just means that freesco has built in driver modules for these cards. But that list will cover a huge amount of cards based on intel, 3com or realtek chipsets. And if for some reason they do not work natively with freesco, you can add the linux driver for other cards in your router/drv folder.

Freesco will work with just about any NIC. The realtek chip based NICs are among the easiest to set up. Just plug an play. ISA NICS are very easy to work with as long as they have jumpers for the IRQ and I/O. THere is a great DOS prog to set these for 3Com NICs. Most of the freesco routers I have built use ISA 3Com 3C509s in them. The rest I used realtek PCI cards.

Hubs are dirt cheap and switches do not cost much more. $25 or less will get you what you need. There are several for sale in the FS/FT forums. I see that there are several hubs in the $10 - $15 range and switches in the $25 - $35 range.

Freesco does not care what you have in the other machines. Even with having to add the NICs and a cheap hub, you are still spending less then a router in the store. Also, it is a great way to learn a little more about how your home network works, and dip your toes into linux. You can spend 10 minutes to set it up, then walk away. Or you can set it up, then slowly try other 3rd party packages and use a hard drive and have a web server, samba server, edna server, or whatever you may want to do.

Sure to some people it is easier to just go buy a router, but what fun is that?

 

[bunker]

Also, if you want some reading material on networking, which it sounds like you could use, check out www.practicallynetworked.com

 

[DIRTsquirt]

Do the freesco! you wont be disappointed. The realtek cards can be had for 11 -15.00 including shipping or picked up at retail outlets
Dont by your cat 5 cable at compusa or bestbuy or big retailers you are gonna pay through the nose. a 6ft. cable should cost around 8.00 I bought a 75 ft for 19.95 the other day. Small retailers are a good cable source
20.00 hub
15.00 NIC
8.00 cat5 freesco box to hub
43.00

dlink or linksys cable router
80.00 - 100.00

Its gonna cost ya one way or the other
my choice would be freesco. it will enable you to dabble in the wonderful world of networking.
and it will 10 times more stuff than a prepackage soho router will do.
HAVE FUN with it.
this will take away from your fathers ability to use it when all the others are being used however.
I personally made a pilgrimage to the old computer graveyard (goodwill) and picked up a 486 for 15.00 that does the trick
I believe a 486 is capable of handling somewhere around 6mb per second sustained data tranfer. I should be plenty. for you fat connection
good luck