SMOOTHWALL: Question

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

Hello,

I'd like to set up a small network as follows:

166MHz pentium (server) with 3 network cards
- 1 network card to the mywireless modem
- 1 network card to computer #1
- 1 network card to computer #2

Will smoothwall allow 3 network cards in a single pc like this? It would be cheaper for me than buying a router/hub.

Network cards are (I think) about R 100 each? How much is the cable per meter (what cable is required?) Do you get some sort of wall jack? Lastly, how much is the device used to attach plugs and how involved is it to do so?

Thanks x a million

kaspaas · Apr 20, 2004

Save yourself a lot of trouble and get a 8-port hub. It is worth the additional cost.

Next month you will most probably want to add another PC to the net, and the month after that your mother-in-law will ask to test drive your connection[

]

Going the network card route just creates a configuration nightmare and blocks your ability to expand.

South Africa needs World Class Broadband at World Competitive Prices.

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

Hmmm okay,

We don't want to add new PCs any time soon though so a 4 port hub will do. How much are they?

How much is the cable per meter? etc (see first post)

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

Hmm.

If I install 2000pro on the 166mhz (I'll up it to 32mb ram so it will run), then I would like to know...

Would it be possible to install and connect the sentech mywireless modem, over USB (this removing the need to buy the ethernet ripoff cable), and share that connection to two other computers using two NICs in the same machine using windows ICS?

Thanks.

Sapphiron · Apr 20, 2004

Yes you could do it.

You will need to bridge the connection. I'm not sure how to do it in win2000, but it can be done. I would suggest getting some more RAM though (64MB or 128MB).

<hr noshade size="1">
Man who fish in other man's well often catch crabs.

Karnaugh · Apr 20, 2004

You dont need to bridge the connections, you can route between them.

- Colin Alston
colin at alston dot za dot org

"Warning: Use with extreme caution."

flashvc · Apr 20, 2004

You can't bridge in Windows 2000 Pro...atleast not without 3rd party software.

And you can't really route with Win2k Pro ICS, because it requires you use a 192.168.0.0/24 subnet, and without bridging the two other PCs won't see each other....

Get WinXP (any version). They all have builtin bridging or setup linux to bridge

--

dorris · Apr 20, 2004

Skimping on cash is the wrong way to go, do it right the first time, and save yourself a lot of trouble. For those that say use XP to enable bridging, you obviously havent read the posts, 32MB RAM, 166MHz.[:0]
Honestly, win2K with 32Mb is pushing the limits.
Did the P1 have USB[?] I'd check that out, as far as I'm aware, its recent innovation (in comparion with the PI).
What other systems are you running?
I would scrap that old box, and use one of your existing machines which I am sure are newer and probably running 2K or XP, you can enable ICS, and it will be transparent to the user of the machine.

Alternatively fork out R200 for a PCI USB card if you desparate to use the old machine.

In regards to the hub/3NICs question.
go to frontier-electronics in Linbro park, its a dodgy little warehouse style shop that sells to the public.
NT105MER 05 PORT SWITCH (MECURY) 45H R 150.00
NT108H 08 PORT SWTCH. HUB 10/100B 45H R 180.00

Which, as you can see is not so expensive.

As another alternative, only use the existing 2 machines, as I mentioned earlier, and with that setup, you could connect the 2 directly with a crossover cable, no hub required.

Happy networking.

bb_matt · Apr 20, 2004

Regarding Smoothwall ...

A quick HOWTO
http://www.myadsl.co.za/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2387&SearchTerms=smoothwall

Then, first off :-

One computer with 2 network cards (NIC/S) is your firewall.

One NIC connects to the internet (RED), the other NIC connects to all your internal computers. (GREEN)

That's all you really need to know. Each computer on your network has one NIC. That connects to a switch, or a hub as it's often called. It's pretty much like a 'multi-plug' of the networking world.

Enable DHCP on your firewall and your good to go.

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

Hello,

Thank you very much Dorris for your very helpful reply. I've ordered the Ethernet cable, and the setup will be like this:

P166: 2 network cards
*first card - mywireless modem
*second card - 5 port hub

Then each of the other computers will connect to the hub and access the net that way. Will they be able to "see" each other? The other two comps consist of my notebook, and my dad's office pc.

We are currently sharing the modem between the two pcs by linking them together with a network cable, and using ICS on the office pc. However, my dad is one of those "if it's not in use turn it off" people - so I find he turns the pc in the office and disconnects me from the net. And it's an irritation to have to go and turn it on and login again.

Today he asked me if I had shut down the internet [8D]. I'm thinking if I hide a server in the cupboard he will not noticeit's always on LOL.

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

Ok, letme just confirm this:

The RED nic connects to the net using the mywireless modem.

The GREEN nic connects to the hub, which connects to all other pcs?

I ran the smoothwall install on the stupid 166 today, and it didn't detect the NIC already in there. So now I need to buy another one of them too. And so the costs skyrocket.

Sorry. I am such a stupid n00b at this.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by bb_matt
 Regarding Smoothwall ...

A quick HOWTO
http://www.myadsl.co.za/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2387&SearchTerms=smoothwall

Then, first off :-

One computer with 2 network cards (NIC/S) is your firewall.

One NIC connects to the internet (RED), the other NIC connects to all your internal computers. (GREEN)

That's all you really need to know. Each computer on your network has one NIC. That connects to a switch, or a hub as it's often called. It's pretty much like a 'multi-plug' of the networking world.

Enable DHCP on your firewall and your good to go.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

bb_matt · Apr 20, 2004

hang five - make sure that your installing smoothwall correctly.

It'll detect most NIC's - you need to intstall it correctly tho. If it's not working after install, try switching round your cables and also try reset your modem.

For a working setup, your ethernet cable needs the green light on the small box on the cable to be on. That is connected to your RED NIC on your firewall.

That NIC should be running PPPoE - you finalise that setup in a web browser after reboot.

johnny-c · Apr 20, 2004

I get the feeling I am about to be laughed at here... but no lights show up on the NIC. Nothing is plugged into it.

Does that affect it's hardware detection? I don't think it should... I think it'd be wise to just replace it anyway.

regardtv · Apr 20, 2004

Johnny,

Where are you based ? Mail me off list.

R

johnny-c · Apr 21, 2004

Hello,

I've got two network cards in the 166 now. They are identical. Smoothwall setup only detects the one - how do I get it to detect the other one?

EDIT: I am a dumbass. It detects the RED zone later on in setup.

johnny-c · Apr 21, 2004

Update...

To whoever posted the SMOOTHWALL HOWTO on this site THANK YOU! It's a great help.

Today I went and bought the stuff I needed. Thanks to whoever suggested frontier electronics, they are nice and cheap and the hub is fine... for R 171inc, compared to R 599 from incredible and R 380 from my usual supplier.

So now we have wall points installed where needed, a smoothwall box set up, all ready to be connected (just looking for someone with a crimping tool I can borrow); and to boot, I now connect to the other computers on my network at 100mbps. Which isn't really of much value to me as we don't do much transferring, but it's an enhancement nonetheless

Karnaugh · Apr 21, 2004

err, W2K wont even install on less than 64Mb.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">And you can't really route with Win2k Pro ICS<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
of course you can - console route command lets you modify the routing tables.

- Colin Alston
colin at alston dot za dot org

"Warning: Use with extreme caution."

Karnaugh · Apr 21, 2004

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">just looking for someone with a crimping tool I can borrow<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Stay in durban? [

]

- Colin Alston
colin at alston dot za dot org

"Warning: Use with extreme caution."

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SMOOTHWALL: Question

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