Home networking, how?

[corekernel]

Hello,

I'm using wireless broadband powered by SOMAport™ 300 and planned to setup small home networking to access the internet. I just got these stuffs:

- Pentium III 866MHz (I think if I need a small server or firewall)
- Prolink PSW808 8-port Switch
- PCI NIC (2 units)
- 2 PC's for gaming, internet (built-in Lan).

So how can I build my own network for two PC's (and maybe 5 soon) to share the internet access? How about the best os for server i.e: WinXP or Linux and also the configuration for both os. My IP was assigned by DHCP but I'm sure it was Dynamic or Static IP because when I off & on the SOMAport, so many times but still got the same IP.

[RickDev]

Get a router, either Netgear or Linsys that provides firewall and DHCP services and most of the work is done. if not you will have to use one of the windows computers to setup network sharing. I would spend the money for the router.

[peter]

You could also setup the Pentium III 866MHz as a Linux Samba server and it should work just fine for basic Windows file sharing. No need to worry about licenses, and OS purchase costs.

I've been doing that on my home network for the past 5 years without any problems. The other advantage of using Linux is that it can give you some exposure to playing with Open Source.

[RickDev]

I agree with Peter. I am a windows person by nature and by job history, so that is normally my first reaction

I am not a linux guru but was able to setup a linux box here at work. So that might be something to do for the DHCP server and firewall.

[peter]

For the least headaches the home router should be OK for firewalling and DHCP. Linux Iptables firewalling requires scripting knowledge which could be tricky.