Folks have already provided many very good suggestions about running  proxy
server software, so let me just add an alternative suggestion.  I am using
the LinkSys Fast Ethernet Broadband Router/Switch to connect a couple of
computers up to one ADSL connection.  I think this is a very good solution
for a couple of computers that are used mainly for things like surfing the
net and email.  It does seem to have some configuration limitations if you
need to open lots of TCP and UDP ports for internet traffic of a more
intensive two way nature (eg NetMeeting and some games).  In that case,
perhaps a more expensive router/hub, like the Umax would be better (no
direct experience to say for sure).  However, I have only found one game so
far (Superbike 2000) for which I couldn't seem to configure this router so I
could play over the internet.

My own thinking is to eventually set up a Linux Router box as a kind of
project to learn more about Linux and networking, but it is nice to have an
instant solution while I go about this more complex solution at a leisurely
pace.  My thinking would be to then hook the Linux Router up to a hub rather
than try to chain together the the workstations.

John

----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Turnbull <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 9:38 AM
Subject: Home Network


> I sent this some days ago and it didn't get through, so I am sending it
again.
>
> I have 3 recreational computers (in the same room) that I would like to
> network.
>
> Comp 1, my main computer is a Pentium II 400 with a cable connection.
> Comp 2 is a Pentium 100 and I would like to use the hard drives in it for
> storage for Comp 1.
> Comp 3 is a 486 33 Mgz on which I would like to install a minimal Linux.
>
> Tentatively,
> Comp 3, the 486, would be the first one on the cable connection [serve as
a
> firewall].
> Comp 2 would come next [storage only] and
> Comp 1 last.
> (Possibly at some later date I may want to be able to hook in my laptop to
> upload/download data to Comp 1)

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