Newbie question: How do I go about in setting up a Linux/Windows 98SE network to take advantage of ADSL Internet?

[aa_koch]

In the next few weeks, I should finally be able to use my ADSL connection. I currently have two PCs available that I would like to use with this connection, but I am not very familiar with (home) networks. Therefore, I am hoping you guys can help me out a little.

Here is the hardware that is available to me at the moment (or what I will have by the time ADSL is up and running), and what I hope to achieve:


[PC RUNNING WINDOWS 98SE/ME]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
CPU: AMD ATHLON "THUNDERBIRD"
RAM: 256MB PC-133 SDRAM
NIC: 3COM 3C905-TX 10/100Mbit


[PC RUNNING SUSE LINUX 7.0 PRO]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
CPU: AMD K6-III+ 450MHz
RAM: 128MB PC-100 SDRAM
NIC: 3COM 3C905-TX 10/100Mbit


I would like to connect these two computers, so that both can access the Internet through the same connection. (Also at the same time, preferably.) I would like to use the PC that is running Linux as a webserver (Apache/MySQL/PHP), which will (hopefully) allow me to host my own website. (This is my first attempt at Linux, and is merely a test. If all goes well, I might consider upgrading the machine if the specs do not meet the requirements of today's servers. But I was told that Linux doesn't need "out of this world" hardware to run smoothly.)

Now I understand a little about networks, and from what I read I know that I'll need at least a hub. However, I have also read some stuff about switches, and am confused. Which of these two components should I buy, and what is the difference between these devices?

I am hoping to get some tips on how to approach this kind of setup, but I would appreciate it just as much if you could link me to a website that provides this kind of information.

Last but not least, will there be a problem moving data from one PC to another, knowing that Windows and Linux do not use the same file system?

Thanks!

 

[Russ]

<< hub. However, I have also read some stuff about switches, and am confused. Which of these two components should I buy, and what is the difference between these devices? >>



A hub and a switch serve the same function, but a switch has brains. It manages traffic intelligently, where a hub just tosses packets everywhere until they stick. There is now so little price difference between the two, get a switch.



<< I am hoping to get some tips on how to approach this kind of setup, but I would appreciate it just as much if you could link me to a website that provides this kind of information. >>



Diagram of my network here. (Word, 90k)

Diagram of generic setup here. (Word, 60k)

Now, you can if you decided to, use the Linux box as the gateway to the web by having two NICs in it, and your DSL (GET AN EXTERNAL) plugged in to it. Linux can do the DHCP and NAT for you, but it's more complicated then using a router such as I have in the diagrams above.



<< Last but not least, will there be a problem moving data from one PC to another, knowing that Windows and Linux do not use the same file system? >>



Samba allows sharing between Windows systems and Linux systems, but it is a bit complicated to setup. Might want to worry about that part after you have the rest working.

Oh, and one other thing. Make your life easier and install Webmin on your Linux box. It'll GREATLY simplify setting up servers/mail/services, etc.

Russ, NCNE