DSL as router

Forum: Networking
Topic: DSL as router
started by: bartgrefte

Posted by bartgrefte on Jan. 15 2007,10:33

Hi!

i'm thinking about buying a mini-itx system that i'm intending to use as router. For the software part... i was thinking about damn small linux.
But i have a few questions which are under the systemspecs that i had in mind:

VIA EPIA-EN15000 1500MHz
Corsair 0512MB,DDR2,64MX64, PC533,C4,Value Select
Intel pro 1000mt dual portyes, i know this is a server nic, but it should work in a normal pci slot ánd (according to mini-box) it fits in de mini-itx casing
Mini-box m300-lcd
1GB CF card
powersupply(haven't chosen one yet)

the questions:
1. is DSL suitable as software router&firewall?
2. is the mentioned hardware compatible with dsl? (That also includes the lcd in the case)
3. does DSL support IPv6? (not nessesary yet but i'd like to be prepared when my isp, finally, steps over to ipv6)
4. is there a simple way for controlling dsl on another pc via the lan? preferably with the help of a webinterface or something, since i don't know much about the command line

well... that about it i guess.

with regards,
Bart Grefte

Posted by Winter Knight on Jan. 16 2007,10:43

[quote=bartgrefte,Jan. 15 2007,02:33][/quote]

Quote

1. is DSL suitable as software router&firewall?

Yes! DSL is great for that. Make sure you install iptables.dsl, availabe in the system repository.

Quote

2. is the mentioned hardware compatible with dsl? (That also includes the lcd in the case)

Probably. I don't recognize the hardware you mentioned, but DSL, like most Linux distros, works with most hardware.

Quote

3. does DSL support IPv6? (not nessesary yet but i'd like to be prepared when my isp, finally, steps over to ipv6)

I'm not sure about that one. If you live in the USA, it's a pretty safe bet that if DSL doesn't support IPv6, then it will before your ISP does. I think DSL does support IPv6.

Quote

4. is there a simple way for controlling dsl on another pc via the lan? preferably with the help of a webinterface or something, since i don't know much about the command line

ssh. I know you said you don't know much about the command line, but that's your best option for remote control.

Have you already considered a dedicated, already built firewall distro, such as Astaro, or Smoothwall?

Posted by bartgrefte on Jan. 16 2007,14:53

[quote=Winter Knight,Jan. 16 2007,05:43][/quote]

Quote

Yes! DSL is great for that. Make sure you install iptables.dsl, availabe in the system repository.

okay!
iptables.dsl... is that the only thing i have to install so that i can use dsl as router ánd firewall?

Quote

Probably. I don't recognize the hardware you mentioned, but DSL, like most Linux distros, works with most hardware.

i'd like to know for sure, espacially the dualport nic.
links:
< VIA EPIA-EN15000 1500MHz >
< Intel pro 1000mt dual port >
< Mini-box m300-lcd >

Quote

I'm not sure about that one. If you live in the USA, it's a pretty safe bet that if DSL doesn't support IPv6, then it will before your ISP does. I think DSL does support IPv6.

live in europe, there is a isp that already has ipv6 but as far as i know thats the only one. If i ask my isp about ipv6 they will respond "what is ipv6", the helpdesk is not quite up to date sort of speak.

Quote

ssh. I know you said you don't know much about the command line, but that's your best option for remote control.
Have you already considered a dedicated, already built firewall distro, such as Astaro, or Smoothwall?

haven't seen astaro yet, but most (if not all) firewall distro's like smoothwall don't support character lcd's, which i'd like to use to display some information.

Posted by Winter Knight on Jan. 17 2007,02:30

Yes, iptables is the only application you need to make DSL ready to be a firewall. After that, you need to set up an iptables rule file. Here is a good, simple tutorial for that:
< http://www.debuntu.org/iptables-how-to-share-your-internet-connection >
And here is a more complete iptables tutorial:
< http://iptables-tutorial.frozentux.net/iptables-tutorial.html >

I checked Intel's site regarding your prospective network card, and it looks like Intel says that it supports Linux. Here is a link so you can check that out yourself:
< http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/1000/ >

I'm afraid I don't know anything about character LCDs, and very little about IPv6.