Linux Help

[albus]

Ok, I am a newbie to Linux, but I am good at computers and all. I have been interested in Linux for quite some time now and I have no idea how to use it. I recently went to winlinux 2000 (www.winlinux.net) and they use a KDE Desktop Enviorment. I am VERY slowly figuring out how to use Linux. But I am not ready to fully make my system Linux based. I have several problems and questions. This is goint to be a long post so sit back and relax.

1. I have 2 computers in my house (my bros and mine). He used to have Winlinux as well but formatted his comp to install Win98 (this is the 10th time he has formatted his comp cause of Windows). We use Micro$oft internet connection sharing to share the dial up modem. I need some help configuring Winlinux to use these option (if possible). I emailed the support team but I have had no response, so any one who can help on this subject would make me very happy :o)

2. Before my brother formatted his comp, we messed around with WinLinux, we wanted to try the net out with it so we used kppp, we figured out how to dial in and all that other stuff but when we started netscape it gave us a whole bunch of errors about trying to connect to home.netscape.com and a whole bunch of other netscape sites, we checked the pref and click 'Direct connection the net' and it still gave us errors. Please help me on this to.

3. This is my 3 week using WinLinux 2000. I am very impressed with everything and I want to take off windows and get Linux on, BUT I am not ready to do that until I figured this the above two problems out yet. What I was to know is which Linux should I use ie. Mandrake, Red Hat, SuSe etc.? :confused:

4. I also need help on setting up the network for Linux, should I make this a client comp, or a server and have my brother connect to me? If I should go server what do I do? How do I make this possible? If I go client what do I do to make it so we can share the internet? :confused:

Well I think those are the only questions I have, (I think) PLEASE respond back with some major help. It will be GREATLY appricated! Thanks!

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|Albus|
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[ClearNinja]

If you want to connect to the internet through your brother's windows box you can
go here (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/network/analogx_winproxy.html)
and use this help file to guide you. If you want to connect his computer to the net through your computer.
go here (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=004821)
if these dont help, you may have to do a search on more info... Hope I helped

[X_console]

First, let me recommend that you buy the book Running Linux, as well as a book dedicated to the distribution you decide to use. Since you seem to be coming from the Windows world, I'd recommend going with Mandrake. The choice of which distribution is really up to you. Each has its pros and cons and each advocate will tell you theirs is the best. For now, stick with what you have. When you become more familiar, try something different. That's my answer to question 3.

Question 1: First you need to configure winlinux to recognize your Windows computer as the gateway. This can be done through a number of ways. If winlinux has a way of configuring the network using a tool (linuxconf maybe or some other), use that. If I remember correctly, ICS designates the IP 192.168.0.1 to the gateway Windows computer. So make sure that in winlinux, the gateway is 192.168.0.1 That's the main thing. Next make sure that Linux recognizes the network card you're using and that it loads it up during boot. If it does, you have one last thing to do. In the network configuration program, give your Linux computer an IP address of 192.168.0.2 (either that or run dhcpd so it automatically grabs a free IP off the Windows computer).

Question 2: You need to tell me what the exact errors are. However, it sounds like you might not have listed the DNS servers of your ISP. You'll want to get the IP addresses for the primary and secondary DNS and put them into your /etc/resolv.conf. Generally it should look something like this:

nameserver 123.123.123.123

Change 123.123.123.123 to your ISP's DNS.

Question 4: It's up to you which one you want to make a server or client. Linux would be a better choice since it comes with a built in packet filter firewall. I would recommend reading up on IP Masquarading (which is the equivalent of Windows's ICS) as well as Linux security. You'll find articles on these in the NHF section: http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel

[albus]

Thanks alot! You guys are the best! :)