looking for win2000 server replacement

[TOTALLYn00b]

I got a 233 mhz computer with 3gb hdd and 128mb ram.
Its acting as a firewall/router box and also as a domain controller and stores my text documents. Its running win2000 server edition.

My problem is that its not working quite as I expected.
Ever since I installed it made my internet be half as fast as it should be.
I cant do proper port forwarding on it (probaly due to incompetence).
Its really quite to slow to preform even the simplest actions on.

Now im looking for a Linux replacement.
1:st,
Will it be worth it, preformance / security?
2:nd,
I want to have dhcp, firewall and port forwarding on it.
I want to share my internet via it.
I want it to act as a domain controller and a file share. (samba?)
I want a web server. (apache?)
What distro should i choose?
Where can I find howto´s / guides (basic) on these subjects?

thank you for ur time.

[mdwatts]

Any distro would do as they all include those applications/services. It would be better if you didn't run X/KDE/Gnome though since it is a server.

Here is a similiar recent thread (http://justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105502) that may give you a few ideas.

I'll be right back.

http://delilinux.berlios.de/ looks interesting and my favorite http://old.lwn.net/Distributions/

[Hayl]

yes, it will perform just fine and be secure.

yes, it can do all those things however, it is never a good idea from a security standpoint to store data or mail on a box that is an internet firewall/router.

do some searches on this forum for distro suggestions, there are already a ton of "what distro" threads.

do some searches on this forum for how-tos, or look in the library on this forum, or use www.google.com/linux for some searches how-tos.

[mdwatts]

G4L as our fine moderator posted and www.tldp.org (The Linux Documentation Project).

[TOTALLYn00b]

ok, great
Im really greatful for your support.

I will as recomended store my files on another computer. :D

As for no X install, how do I do port forwarding?

I have done it once before with a application called firestarter wich worked quite well.

[mdwatts]

I've never used it myself though it looks as if 'firestarter' (http://freshmeat.net/projects/firestarter/?topic_id=58%2C150) still exists.

[TOTALLYn00b]

yes, it still exists, but it requiers X
how do i proceed to do a port forward without it?

thanks

[mdwatts]

Have you decided upon a distro as they might have documentation/how-to's/guides on port forwarding on their website.

Something like

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/security-guide/

G4L search results for 'port forwarding' (http://www.google.com/linux?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=port+forwarding&btnG=Google+Search).

[TOTALLYn00b]

Im not sure about distro...
I got red hat, mandrake and suse cd´s...
but they seem to heavy for a firewall /router, am I right?

Thank you very much for ur support on ip forwarding and I have found a page offering a followable guide.

[mdwatts]

You don't necessarily have to install all the packages as most distros allow you to do a custom selective install to just add the packages you require.

There are some distros that are a bit more specific to certain services.

Something like http://www.coyotelinux.com/

You will find that searching with G4L will find all sorts of good documentation etc. on just about any subject. That is what I always use.

Most distros include the how-to's and guides from The Linux Documentation Project so you have them handy on your filesystem.

My distro must install around 4-500 MB of documentation.

[TOTALLYn00b]

Thank you all very much, especially mdwatts.

It has been very helpfull and I will start installing right away..or atleast first thing tomorrow morning..Its getting kinda late over here

[mdwatts]

Glad we could help.

First check to see if the distro you decide upon has installation documentation on their site to follow. They should.