internet connection sharing with Linux for your home network

Linux has a very powerful IP stack built into the operating system.  Linux itself has the capability of routing your lan to the internet with NAT or Network Address Translation (explain NAT).  In the Linux world this is often called IP Masquerading.  Here is a HowTo at LinuxDoc  

My favorite way to use Linux as a router is with a micro-distribution. There are versions of Linux out there that run off of a single floppy disk. Using one of these distributions, you can convert an old, unused computer (even a 486!) into a capable broadband router. Since the software fits on a floppy, you don’t even need a hard drive in the system! Most of the micro-distributions of Linux routers have minimum requirements of a 386 with 16Mb of memory.

My favorite linux router is called Cyote Linux. Cyote Linux has a very cool installation and configuration method. Cyote Linux starts with a Windows program. Run it, and you can actually configure the router in Windows. Next, a program creates a bootable floppy disk that has your fully configured Linux broadband router!

Update:  HomeNetHelp now has an in depth article about setting up an OpenBSD box as a great firewall / router combination.  OpenBSD firewall & router

Cyote Linux

Linux Router Project

EDGE Firewal, a Lineo Embedix ThinLinux demonstration of embedded computing products

http://edge.fireplug.net (link dead)

For NetBSD Fans, The NetBSD/i386 Firewall Project

http://www.dubbele.com/

Linux Firewall and Security Site

Home Networking with Linux

http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue28/journeay.html

IP Masquerading How-To

 

internet connection sharing with Linux for your home network