2 machines sharing a linux server cable connection and modem

[eamonn]

I have three machines.

1. a linux (suse 8.1) machine
with 1 x modem
2 x NIC
1 x Cable modem connected to one of the NICs

2. a winxp machine
with 2 x NIC

3. a winxp machine
with 1 x NIC

I want to connect the three and have the net going through the linux machine into the other two. I also want to share the HDDs if possible. I dont mind buying another NIC but dont really want to spend much money if possible.

Does anyone know how to get all this working?

[Crutch]

well, I'm assuming that you have a hub/switch that you are using to connect the 3 machines on the internal network. I have very similar setup and it works great.

I set up iptables with ip masquerading on the linux server. I also setup a dhcp server on the linux box that issues IP's to the boxes on the internal network.

Here's a link to a How To:

http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~dranch/LINUX/ipmasq/c-html/

basically all you have to is create a rc.firewall script that starts Iptables, sets up rules and turns on NAT/masquerading. Then you can tune it to block/allow whatever ports you want later. If you need me to post one that works, then I will post one for you, and that goes for the dhcp config file too.

[eamonn]

I ended up getting ascript to do it from me from the sourceforge site. its called firegard i think. its great ntl.