Computer 1
/
/
486 486 /
Internet<-------Office <========> Home <--------- Computer 2
\
\
\
Computer 3
====== PPP
------ Ethernet
First, you'll need to set up Ethernet (- / and \) in your apartment.
You'll need a hub and some ethernet cables. It shouldn't be too hard
since you've already known how to connect to ethernet at school. The
good thing about Linux is that Computer 1 to 3 can be Linux, Win95,
Mac (and probably other OS too).
Then you'll need to set up ppp dialing out on your home 486. It can
be tricky but luckily, there are a lot of scripts and GUI interfaces
to help you doing it. However, you'll need an ISP to test things out
at the beginning.
Next, the fun part that I haven't tried doing yet :) According to
"Serial Howto", a Linux box can be configured to accept incoming
phone call. You'll need to set that up for you Office 486 so that you
home 486 can call up your office 486 to use its internet connection
and IP. So, you probably will need two modems (one at home and one
in the office) and probably a dedicated phone number in the office
for this PPP connection.
I assume that you can only have one IP address (for you office 486).
The finaly part will then be setting up IP forwarding and masquerade
on you office 486 (may be also your home 486). Your other machines
can then use you office 486 as a gateway.
Other readers can probably correct my mistakes. It isn't too easy
but as long as you do it step-by-step, you should eventually get
there :). Good luck!
On Thu, 29 Apr 1999, Harald Schwefel wrote:
> Since I am moving off campus next month I will be leaking the great
> ethernet connection. To avoid that I thought I could use two old (the
> Law School chuck them out - but they are working fine) 486 machines. One
> I thought could be the server for us three in the new apartment and the
> other stays steady in my office connected to the ethernet. Some Phone
> line could help to connect then these two.
>
> Well that much in theory. The most I ever did with networking was
> getting my box to do it with the ethernet connection from the dorm. What
> HOWTO's do I have to study, where should I start?
> The 486es are only missing RAM, does anyone know where to get some cheap
> RAM? How much would I need for running just the basic non-X system to do
> what ever it takes to connect? The 3com Ethernet card has only the 10-T
> base adapter so where could I get a cheap HUB I need to connect 3 people
> in our Apartment? Can I run IPX between the computers in the apartment
> (playing DUKE is just so much more fun against each other)?
>
> Finally is there any faster method to get data from one computer to the
> other besides a slow modem and besides paying tons on money for an ISDN
> connection. Something which works over an normal telephone line? Since
> just these two computers need to communicate the protocol can be
> somewhat esoteric.
>
> Thanks a lot for any hint/help
>
> harald
>