Linux for routing and serving

[732]

Hi,
I was using Coyote as a internet gateway and now added a HDD so I could switch to "real" linux. Some people suggested using Debian Woody (something else?), so I installed it. Do I need X? I'm new to Linux and thought you guys could help me with that :).

Alright, I try to explain...

1) Share internet (ADSL, PPPoE) and put up DHCP.
2) To download files (FTP, IRC) at nights. I mean to use the computer remotely (VNC?)
3) Put up a FTP server
4) Put up a file server for Windows computers (Samba)
5) Limit downloading eg from Kazaa or my connection is choked

The computer itself is:
Pentium-S 100MHz
SIMM 16MB (will possibly get +32MB DIMM)
Cirrus Logic CL-GD5420 512KB
2x Realtek NIC PCI 10/100
40GB Hard drive

I hope you can help me and suggest me what and how to do :)
Thanks!

[freakmn]

I use SourceMage (www.sourcemage.org) to accomplish pretty much the same thing. I install, configure the network, then I:

cast shorewall squid samba dhcp proftpd
cast downloads and compiles each program.
This installs:
shorewall: a nice firewall
squid: a caching proxy (optional for your setup)
samba: shares windows files
dhcp: A dhcp server (I think that's what you wanted, the client is dhcpcd)
proftpd: an ftp server

Then you edit the config files for each prog, start all the services, and you're good to go.

This is a source based distro, so it does compile each program, but it automatically finds dependencies, so it kind of evens out.

Also, it starts in a command line interface, but you can install xfree86 with a:

cast xfree86

Warning: This does take quite a while to compile. I would not recommend having a gui on a server, as it can steal all your RAM, which slows down the serving aspects.

[732]

Originally posted by freakmn

Then you edit the config files for each prog, start all the services, and you're good to go.

This is a source based distro, so it does compile each program, but it automatically finds dependencies, so it kind of evens out.


That's about it, I don't know how to install or conf anything. That's why I'm stuck in my Debian :(

[freakmn]

The config files are usually in /etc/(programname)
i.e. shorewall config files are in /etc/shorewall/
squid files are in /etc/squid/

to edit them, use your favorite text editor. I use nano.

i.e. nano /etc/squid/squid.conf

There are also other distros that are specifically for a router, but I've never tried those.

In any case, I would recommend the programs I have mentioned, as I have found them easy to set up and understand. There are also example sets of config files that will help you get started for each program.

I apologize that I don't know much about Debian, as I couldn't even get it installed (a few months back), so I can't help you with any debian specific problems, such as installing. I know that debian's package system is a .deb file, but I don't know much more about it. I know there are plenty of debian people that might be able to help you around here, but I'm afraid I can't. I hope I helped some, though.

[732]

Ok, thanks, now I know how to edit a file :D
trying to get ssh to work now, any ideas?

I tried apt-get install ssh and got Sorry, ssh is already the newest version
:confused:

[freakmn]

That sounds to me like ssh is already installed. Are you trying to get the client or the server to work? If the client, try typing
ssh (ip of target computer)
if you are trying for the server, I believe that it is called sshd. I may be incorrect on this, but you could try typing "sshd".

I haven't worked much with ssh, so some of this may not be correct. I would recommend that you type
man ssh
this will give you a little info on ssh. You could see if man sshd works too.

[732]

Trying to get it working on the server.
I looked http://www.justlinux.com/nhf/Networks/Using_VNC_with_Linux.html (the last paragraph)

and did ssh -L 22:192.168.0.2:22 root
and it says some error about root

sshd doesn't have argument L

how can I see my ip (DHCP)? like under windows ipconfig

[732]

Got my SSH working :cool:

I'm trying to install vsftpd.

gunzip vsftpd-1.2.0.tar.gz
tar -xf vsftpd-1.2.0.tar
cd vsftpd-1.2.0
./configure - can't find file or folder...
make - gives some error
make install - error

how do I install that?

[sclebo05]

if you are using debian, do an 'apt-get install vsftpd' i believe that is a debian package, perhaps a debian user could back me up on this.

[732]

Couldn't find package vsftpd

what are the exact commands I have to enter?

gunzip vsftpd-1.2.0.tar.gz

and what next?

[sclebo05]

tell you what, if you have a tarball, just run this command: tar -zxvf vsftpd.tar.gz

that will unzip AND break up the tar. the directory vsftpd should be there somewhere

once inside, do your ./configure make and make install

[732]

still the same

bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

also tried nano vsftpd_conf

didn't know what to do there

[sclebo05]

one more try with the apt-get

apt-get install ftpd

i looked on debian.org and that is a package.

[jymbo]

I have a similar setup:

HP Vectra VL P166
16MB EDO RAM
2 X Realtek NICs
1.6GB HDD
Comcast HSC

distro: Slackware 7.1 (no X)
kernel: 2.2.25 (custom compile)
ftp server: proftpd 1.2.4
file server: samba 1.2.7
firewall/router: PMFirewall 1.1.4
dns caching: bind 8.2.3

This is a headless box that masquerades for 3 other machines on my home LAN, and also serves files via ftp to the outside. Apache+SSL is also a possibility. Speedy, light-weight, and stable, this once throw-away Win95 box has a new lease on life.

Slack requires a more in-depth working knowledge of Linux than Deb, but is well worth the effort.

[732]

debian:/tmp# apt-get install vsftpd
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
E: Couldn't find package vsftpd

:confused:

[sclebo05]

apt-get install ftpd <- different than what you just posted.

[732]

apt-get install vsftpd
apt-get install ftpd

both worked after I changed /etc/apt/sources.list :)
got Samba also working.

now I'm trying to get PPPoE and DHCPD working