Gary, Firstly, be sure to hit "reply to all" when replying to posts on the list. This will ensure the message gets posted back to the list, instead of going directly to the person who posted the reply.
> It's probably a moot point now, but the primary use of the > computer is browsing, email, some office suite functions and > a bit of digital image storage and manipulation. I have and > use a copy of The GIMP on my Win box but it's a bit flaky. > Looking forward to running it on a fast and dedicated Linux box. Sounds like you have this part of it down pat. > I don't have any experience with networking, but your > pointers about a router and setting up samba give me the > place to start. Presumably samba uses the same cables that > run to/from the router - almost like a "T" > junction: the Optusnet cable plugs into the router and there > is a line from the router to each computer? Ok, the way you set it up: A) Cable modem will connect to the router with a cat5 cable in the WAN port (basically the external traffic port) B) computer 1 will connect to one of the internal network ports i.e one of the ports on the inbuilt switch. Again using a cat5 cable. C) computer 2 will connect the same way as computer 1, obviously in a different port on the inbuilt switch. D) switch on router. Default config on the router should be ok, except for changing the password on the admin tool (usually web based, depends on router) All these setup steps should be outlined in the manual you get with the router. Samba is simply some software that runs in linux that enables linux to emulate windows sharing or in laymens terms - Make it appear in "Network Neighbourhood". Once this is done, you can either see it in "network neighbourhood" (or "my network places" in XP) or type \\linuxboxname\sharename in start|run and you will see the files on the linux box just like you are browsing a file on the local pc. I'd suggest getting the network up and running with sharing the internet connection and then we can talk about setting up samba. No need to overwhelm yourself. Cheers, Adam. > > I'm planning on keeping the old machine around and hopefully > > access Optusnet cable for both. What sort of hardware would > > be needed to enable both machines to be connected to the net, > > and for my machines to be able to exchange files with each > > other (more from old to new)? > > A Router (there are many) that will connect to your cable > modem and then to > your pc's. They all usually come standard with an inbuilt 4 > port switch, so > that will serve you just fine. > > Examples that will do the job: > http://www.everythinglinux.com.au/cat/hardware/routers (I > don't have any > association with elx, you could possibly get it cheaper at > www.ht.com.au) > > ELX sell a linksys for $95.50. I have been running this same > router for a > couple years and its served well. > > Do you have any experience with networking computers? If not, I shall > explain further on how to connect the machines to the router. > > For exchanging files, setup samba on the debian box and then > you can browse > the shared files on the debian box from the old machine. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
