Many people are getting into using either a hardware router (like the Linksysmodels) or proxy/NAT software (Windows ICS: Win98SE/ME or WinNT/2k) for sharing their Internet connection. This is because it gives the ability to share theconnection with up to 253 computers off one ISP account, as well as offering afirewall for centralized protection. Rather then going out and spending $100+,we're going to make our own router that is able to support either a 56k/Dial-upmodem or Broadband (DSL or Cable) for next to nothing for cost because we'll be using Coyote Linux as the Operating System (OS) and routing software>
A router is a simple computer that has routing tables - these tables are lists of the IPs on your network so that when a request comes to the router, therouter checks the lists. If the IP is on the list, the request is accepted andpassed on accordingly. If not, the router passes the request onto another routerso that the next router can scan its' routing tables to see if the IP is there.This is continued until the IP is found or the connection times out due to noresponse. In essence, a router acts like a bouncer at your local bar or pub - ifthe request is accepted it gets in, and if not then the request is redirected.
Coyote Linux - what we'll be using for running the router - was derived fromthe Linux Router Project. Like FreeSCO, Coyote Linux differs from the LinuxRouter Project by the configuration and maintenance of the router. However, all are designed to be a single floppy distribution of Linux (though they can be installed to a hard drive), share an Internet Connection, and are of course FREE! Though this tutorial deals with using Coyote Linux to run the router off a floppy, other variations are available:
Coyote Linux is capable of sharing an Internet connection via ethernet(static or dynamic IP) or 56k/PPP/dial-up modem. For more information, see thetable below:
| Supports: | | Wide Area Network (WAN) Interface: | Static and Dynamic IP | | Local Area Network (LAN) Interface: | Static and Dynamic IP (DHCP server incl.) | | PPPoE: | Yes | | 56k/PPP/dial-up modem: | Yes | | VPN: | PPTP LAN support, but no client software | | Firewall: | Ipchains, NAT | | Network Address Translation (NAT): | Ipmasq | | DMZ: | No |
To get this going, you will need the following:
| Computer | CPU: 386 SX or better | | 12 MB RAM | | 1.44 MB Floppy drive | | MDA (or better) display | | NO CD-ROM/RW or hard drive everything is run off the floppy and RAM |
| Method of Internet Connection: | | Ethernet (Broadband - DSL or cable) | | 2 Network Interface Cards (NICs) - can be either ISA or PCI. Just make sure they are supported - check here for details. | | 56k/Dial-up modem, Just make sure they are supported - check here for details. | | 1 56k/Dial up modem |
| Network equipment: | | 1 hub or switch. (See this article for more information on hubs and switches). | | Normal (straight-through) CAT5 cable | | Transport media | | 1 floppy disc (1.44 MB) | | Software |
If you need to buy NICs for the router, make sure you know whether you need ISA or PCI versions! You could either research your computer online, or you can take off the case cover to check. If you are unsure, use this page as a reference though you only need 10 Mbps NICs for a router as current consumer bandwidth hardly reaches 3 Mbps, making a 100 Mpbs NIC overkill.
If you are unsure about the tools and precaution measures you should take when starting, please see the "Tools" and "NIC Installation" on this page for more information and pictures.
You will need to do the following:
- Unscrew the case cover with the Philips head screwdriver - there should be three screws that need to be removed.
- With the cover off, ground yourself of Static electricity. You can now grab the case, or follow the directions on the anti-static wrist strap ifyou haven't already done so.
- Remove the bus slot guard to allow for the face of the NIC to be visible.
- Seat the NIC firmly into its' PCI or ISA slot.
- Disregard this step if installing the NIC in a client computer (one that will be using the router as the gateway). Repeat steps to install either the2nd NIC depending on the connection you will be sharing. If installing a dial-up/56k modem, install it now.
- Reattach the case cover.
- Repeat Steps 1 - 6 until the NICs (and modem if0 needed) are installed in the router, and move on to install one (1) NIC per client computer(s).
Laying the cable With Steps 1 and 2 done, we can move on to putting those computers to their intended spot and running the CAT5 cable from the clients to the hub or switch. One port is for the router itself, so make sure there's one free and you don't need to enable the crossover port on the switch or hub in case you were wondering. Don't forget the necessary power cords etc. either...
To create the floppy, we can use one of the following methods:
- To create the floppy on a Windows Operating System, we'll need to download the [url=http://www.coyotelinux.com/files/disk_creator/" target="_blank" class="norm">Windows Disk Creator (2.4 MB file).
The Disk Creator currently contains Coyote Linux v1.23, while the LinuxFloppy Creator creates version is 1.31. This should be fine - I have Coyote Linux setup to share DSL on a four-computer network currently without a single problem. However, IPsec/PPTP (VPN) support is not provided on the WinDiskCreator - only the LinuxFloppy Creator includes this support.
[url=http://www.dalantech.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=unix&Number=32926&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1">Click here to continue on a walk-through of the Windows Disk Creator.
- You need to have access to a Linux PC that has Internet access to be able to download the latest stable version of Coyote Linux. You can
This will create a directory called coyote that contains the Coyote installation files. Now we need to get into the coyote directory, using this command:
cd coyote
To start the Coyote installation script we use the following:
./makefloppy.sh
Click here to continue on to installing the newly created Coyote Linux floppy to your router-to-be.
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