[ILUG] Information on setting up a home network

[Kae Verens]

Éibhear wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I know this is somewhat off topic, but I'm hoping someone will be able to
>help me. My head is wrecked looking for a "Start here" document that will
>give me the information I need.
>
>I want to set up a home network, but I don't want to spend more money on
>things that turn out not to work with the machines I have.
>
>Here's what I have:
> + 3 laptops and one desktop, all with GNU/Linux of one flavour or
>   another and each at constant risk of having that flavour changed
>   with no notice.
> + An Eircom broadband connection using a Netopia Cayman 3341 modem.
>   This is not a wireless modem.
>
>Here's what I want:
> + To network the laptops and PC such that each can use the
>   broadband connection and that each can talk to the other in an
>   unrestricted manner.
>
>Here's where I think ILUG can help:
> + If I get an ethernet switch (like at
>   http://www.marxcomputers.ie/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=switch&cart_id=)
>   and enough ethernet cables, will I be able to configure the netopia
>   modem to act as the LAN router? If so, does any one know where I can
>   get documentation describing how to do that? Is it configured for
>   this already? If this isn't possible, I *will* be going to
>   http://www.linux.ie/articles/tutorials/firewall/ next.
> + If I get homeplug devices (like what can be seen at
>   http://www.devolo.co.uk/uk_EN/produkte/dLAN/mldlanhsstarterkit.html),
>   I'm guessing that these can act as an alternative to an ethernet
>   switch. Am I correct?
>
>While I am a techie (honest!) and I should know this stuff pretty well, my
>head, as I say, is wrecked. Is there a primer type document that will
>explain to someone who isn't very experienced in these sorts of things the
>fundamentals of building a home network like this? I'm looking for simple
>explanations for NAT, masquerading, IP Forwarding, port forwarding.
>Perhaps without reference to the operating system and certainly without
>reference to specific software packages that implement these.
>  
>

my network for over a year consisted of a cayman 3341, which connected 
to a switch. the switch was then connected to one computer and a 
wireless router. through the wireless router, I connected my laptop and 
robot (a mini-itx jobbie).

the 3341 works straight out as a router. don't bother with the USB 
connection - just hook it straight into your switch. You can then access 
its configuration panel at http://192.168.1.254/
  Personally, I set the router to forward all traffic to my main 
computer, which I could then treat as a web/mail server.

it's not difficult to set up.

what I would recommend, though, is getting one of the wireless broadband 
routers instead. I now use a Netopia 3347NWG, which Eircom sent out to 
me when I set up my network after moving. This is a combined DSL modem, 
wireless router and 4 port switch. All you need for a successful network!

It's probably cheaper to buy one of those thingies, then to get all the 
other bits individually.

oh - and you need cables ;-)

Kae