Looking for assistance with Linux network!

[onesandzeros]

Looking for some help setting up a Linux network. I am goign through some HOW TO articles now so I don't need detailed information. Looking for some suggestions and advice on how to set this up.
Basically I want to have a linux firewall setup with 2 NICS, one for my cable modem, the other for my Linksys router which will have 2 computer plugged into it. One is my Linux RH9 box, and a WinXP box.
Now, how should I go about setting this up? FOr the firewall box, I have a spare Pentium 200, with 32MB Ram, is that enough to run a good firewall? By good I mean 'working' :)
Is 2 NICs the best setup for this? Also, should I use the router's DHCP server or setup a Linux DHCP server. ( would this be the firewall box?)
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

I also want to really focus on security, meaning I want to be able to monitor my network for port scans or intrusions of anykind. A freind told me about Snort and Ethearl. I will check them out, any suggestions on that?

[Cuthbert]

The Lynksys router should already provide a hardware firewall, so I really see no need for a machine between it and your cable modem. As for your ports being scanned, that is 'normal' activity on the net. Everyone is being probed and poked at all the time.

[bskahan]

Set up the firewall anyway, its goo to know how and you have the spare computer.

Your spare box is plenty (even overkill) for a firewall, I generally use 486s. I've been quite happy with the linux router projects floppy router distro.

http://www.linuxrouter.org/

and have gotten uptimes of over 200 days with it.