Architecture, Router Help, DNS Question

[sypes]

Found an old computer, decided to install Linux on it and see what happens. This is an interesting exercise, as neither that computer nor I have any experience with Linux.

What I'd like to do is run a web server using the Linux box out of my house; I have Qwest DSL, a Cisco 678 router, and a hub of indeterminate origin. To add to that, I have 2 static IP's (and 3 computers).

So, it would seem that I should be able to configure the router using NAT (about which I know nothing, but am frantically scanning the Qwest site for) in order to provide an IP address for the Linux box.

Now, the questions:
Is what I am trying doable or advisable?
Is anyone aware of any documentation for same?
With respect to setting up the web server itself, if the IP address for the server sits behind the router, using NAT, how does a request to http://www.mydomain.com get answered?

Do I have to set up a DNS entry with my registrar in order for the rest of the internet to be able to see this box?

The site I want to host will also need to be able to recieve email. Where within the Linux documentation do I find out how to set up that functionality.

Best regards - any other help that you can be would be much appreciated.

[neotrace]

Found an old computer, decided to install Linux on it and see what happens. This is an interesting exercise, as neither that computer nor I have any experience with Linux.
~
First you need to figure out how "old" the machine is? That way you'll know which distrabution to install and whether to setup x-windows, or just a base install.
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What I'd like to do is run a web server using the Linux box out of my house; I have Qwest DSL, a Cisco 678 router, and a hub of indeterminate origin. To add to that, I have 2 static IP's (and 3 computers).
~
I know nothing of cisco routers, meaning i'm not sure if that one will foward ports and/or ip's, but I do know that your linux box will act perfectly as a router/firewall with an app such as pmfirewall or firestarter.
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So, it would seem that I should be able to configure the router using NAT (about which I know nothing, but am frantically scanning the Qwest site for) in order to provide an IP address for the Linux box.
~
NAT (network address translation) will basically take the external ip and distribute it to the internal machines so that they may access the internet
~
Now, the questions:
Is what I am trying doable or advisable?
Is anyone aware of any documentation for same?
With respect to setting up the web server itself, if the IP address for the server sits behind the router, using NAT, how does a request to http://www.mydomain.com get answered?

Do I have to set up a DNS entry with my registrar in order for the rest of the internet to be able to see this box?
~
First I would get the internet working on the linux box, meaning, be able to ping yahoo.com, then setup a program that i mentioned earlier that will masqurade (nat) your external ip so that the internal devices can use them.
~
The site I want to host will also need to be able to recieve email. Where within the Linux documentation do I find out how to set up that functionality.
~
First setup the basics then move on to DNS, mail, hosting, etc...
~
Best regards - any other help that you can be would be much appreciated.

I know this is kinda vaque, but just reply if your still interested in figuring.

[ 15 April 2002: Message edited by: neotrace ]

[sypes]

Might take a couple of days to get things going - I need to find an extra NIC card for outbound traffic. With respect to the vagueness, don't worry about it. I'm not looking for someone to hold my hand, just a few pointers and nudges in the right direction.

[freebsd]

>> To add to that, I have 2 static IP's

Then you need to disable NAT in Cisco 678 for that 2 static IPs to work. If you don't already have the password, contact Qwest and have them do it for you remotely.