Setting up a network

[Rod Roark]

William Lindley wrote:
> 
> Okay Pluggers...
> 
> I'd like to set up a Linux system to serve some files on my local network,
> act as a print server, and handle e-mail.  This box would be connected to
> a cable modem.  If possible I'd like to use the Mandrake distribution,
> since that's what I've been using for awhile.
> 
> What advice do you all have for:
> 
> * Should I try to figure out how to install and configure a firewall, or
> just by the Netgear 311 router?  Or both?  How difficult have you found
> keeping up with security issues to be?

You don't need a separate router or firewall.  Use ipchains, and pay
attention to /etc/hosts.deny and hosts.allow.  Be careful to not expose
services to the outside world that don't need to be.  Once you learn a
bit, it's easy.

> * Where's a good source to learn about sendmail / fetchmail / qmail ...
> and what do I need?

Use postfix.  Easy, fast, secure, good.  Comes with Mandrake.  So does
webmin, check it out too.

OK Jean F., your turn now.  :-)

-- Rod
   http://www.sunsetsystems.com/