> 1) It's a 33MHz with 8Mb RAM, can it do the job? There will be two other
> machines (Win98, Debian G/L) on my home network.
Yes, but you'll be much happier if you spend $20 and buy more RAM
> 2) How do I physically set this up? I've found info on the software
> setup, but nothing about hardware. More details:
> ..a) InterNet-facing line is cable which goes to cable "MODEM"
> ..b) From "MODEM" to 10baseT Ethernet Hub.
> ..c) From hub to:
> ....1) Win98 box (which is why I want the firewall; it's not mine!)
> ....2) Debian GNU/Linux laptop (which is not always connected)
> 3) Does the firewall box need to be between the "MODEM" and the hub or
> can it be parallel to the two machines now on the hub?
> 4) If it is upstream of the hub, then do I need two NICs? Or is there a
> special kind of NIC that I should use?
Basically the firewall machine must have two NICs. One NIC is connected to
the cable modem and that is the only NIC that the modem (and your ISP) sees.
From their point of view, there is only one machine on the network. The rest
of your network (that is, the hub) plugs into the second NIC. The first,
"cable" NIC is set up according to ISP instructions (IP address, etc.). The
second, "local" NIC is set up with your local LAN IP address (which you pick
yourself subject to the usual conventions). You don't need any special NICs,
any will do.
Kaa
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