P166 as a server/gateway? To slow?

[Toro 45]

I've got a small LAN going 2 comps with NIC's & a crossover cable. I'm using Sygate to share my cable modem.

The problem is I'm always tweaking my main system & it seems like I need to restart right when my wife or son are right in the middle of something on my client system. Mine is the server so when I reboot there internet connection goes down as well.

I know using a router would take care of this but I have extra computers & routers are'nt cheap.

So I was thinking of using my P166, 64 megs ram(always on) as the server & using the others as clients via a hub.

I've heard of people using 486 & Linux as a firewall/server but I don't do Linux.

So I need to know if the using the P166 with, Win95b or 98 would work as an adequate server or if my other comps will bog down on the much slower comp.I could use a P200 or P266 if necessary.

Thanks, Toro

 

[oldskool]

with a p166 with your 48 megs of ram even running windows you should be fine using is as a gateway, it doesn't take much computer at all to pass packets

 

[BoberFett]

My gateway right now is a P75, 48 MB 70ms FP RAM, running Win98SE and ICS. It works just fine for routing.

 

[mcoski]

As a gateway thats plenty, infact I run a little 486 pos comp as my gateway sometimes (when the p200 fails). Fails because of stupid things

 

[Workin']

That P166 will do the job perfectly well. We used to use a 486/33 as a file server for a 50 person office.

 

[bigjon]

Do you have to use 2 network cards in the router? If not, wouldn't it be more secure to do so with a cable modem setup?

 

[Toro 45]

Great ,thats what I wanted to hear.
BigJon,yes I'll be using 2 nics in the sever with the cable modem

Anyone know if running Rc5 on the P166 would be a problem, while acting as a server for 3-4 comps?

Thanks for the help.

 

[nateholtrop]

My friend has a pentium 150 running coyote linux running his network...and another 150 running off a floppy he is kinda dumb but I thought I would share my tale.

Nate

 

[urbantechie]

Thats like overkill! LOL. Many here use 486's as Linux firewalls/routers.

 

[Fathom4]

P166 is more than enough.

 

[tim0thy]

If I remember correctly, the website that offered a simple solution for gateway/router through linux was at www.freesco.com. Check them out, maybe it'll be helpful.

 

[Wik]

RC5 will run fine on it as well as be your gateway. My 166 completes about 90-100 work units in a day. Like timothy said, also check out Freesco. It runs off of a floppy and is real simple to set up.