Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : Setting up Linux web server for testing w/cable modem...possible?

[Vyper]

Hey Peeps!

I've decided that before I jump into a ded server, that I would first hone my skills in administering one first hand. What I plan on doing is setting one up here at the office hooked up to a cable modem.

(No, I will not be hosting any client accounts this way. This is just for my own personal learning experience.)

I know it's possible but has anyone tackled something similar to this? If so, know of a good resource for doing so? I've got some books, but of course it's very general about the actual process of what I'm trying to achieve. Any help would be appreciated!

Vyper out...

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

I did it 3 time in my appartment. My computer has a linux partition, my old computer is now a dedicated linux server and my friend is under linux as well.

The server is hooked up to a 8 port 10/100 switch and the cable modem. No problem at all when installing it, it went without a scratch. If you use something like RH7, it's even easier for the beginner... they ask you how it should be configured in a graphical interface, be it DHCP (like most cable modems) or fixed stuff which you can specify.

It will even run faster AFTER than BEFORE doing this.

BTW... make sure that you don't connect your cable modem directly on a hub or switch or your ISP will detect this and charge you the number of computer you are using Do what I did... set up forwarding and masquerading on the server and you'll be all set AND protected (by a firwall most likely)

[Vyper]

I do have RH7 Server that I just purchased yesterday, although I'm an absolute newbie at this and you just missed a few hairs on my head with your explanation.

Is a switch necessary for doing something like this? I have hubs, nic cards, servers, software, and can setup my cable modem either by DHCP or fixed.

I have no idea what "forwarding" or "masquerading" means. I think I may just hire a Linux guru and set it up for me initially if need be.

What do you think?

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

The switch is not necessary, the hub will do fine.
Masquerading and forwarding mean that your server will be hooked on the cable modem and will serve as a proxy for your other computers. So from an outsider point of view, only your server is on the internet, not you.

It is not yet EASY to isntall without ANY linux knowledge... I would recommend against it anyway. Find a friend that knows that and ask him to spend a hour or 2 to set it all up for you.

[webfors]

Ok, now we're your talking my language. I have a cable modem with a Linux box set up. Here's how you can do it really easy. Get Linux-Mandrake 7.1 or RH 7 and just do the default install. Make sure you have 2 nics in your linux box. Make sure that the cable modem is connected directly to the Linux box (using one of the nics obviously) during the install process so that it can automatically detect your nics. Run an RJ45 cable from the second nic in your linux box to your hub. Then plug any other PC's into the free ports on your hub.

During the install process make sure to choose the options that make the most sense for your configuration: like DHCP, configuring x, and set the ip of your second nic to 192.168.0.1 (or any other private class address).

Once the install is done, log into your linux box and open netscape and go to http://www.pmfirewall.com and download PMFirewall. Once you've downloaded it open a terminal window and go to the directory that you saved it in. Type:

sh install.sh

This will start the PMFirewall install script which will ask you a bunch of questions regarding how you want to secure you box (it will set up a pretty good IPchains ruleset to provide a decent firewall). During the install process one of the questions will be "Will you be masquerading connections for other pc's on your network". Choose Yes. This will automatically set up IP Masquerading for you without any work on your part. PMFirewall will also autodetect your ip addresses for your 2 nics and set up masquerading for the subnet according to the ip you set for you second nic (ie: subnet 192.168.0.0/24). The great thing about the PMFirewall script is that it also loads all the modules neccessary for ip masquerading to work nicely with ICQ, Quake, etc...

Then go to your windows machine (make sure you have it plugged into a port on your hub) and set it's ip to 192.168.0.2 (or 192.168.0.3 or .4 etc...),and subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and set the default gateway to 192.168.0.1 and set your DNS servers to your ISP's DNS servers.

Once you do that you should be surfing the net with your pc masqueraded through your linux box. I actually find my internet connection a good 20% faster routed through my linux box than connected directly to my Win2k workstation. Unbelievable but absolutely true!!

If you need more help you can go to http://linuxnewbie.org

[Edited by tabernack on 10-28-2000 at 07:09 PM]

[webfors]

Oh yeah,

I also use my linux box as my own smtp, pop server. That way I don't have to wait for my mail to be sent or to receive it. It's instantaneous.

I also have a webserver, ftp server, and ssh server running on it. All with a P200 and it works great.

God I love Linux.

[webfors]

My website on my linux box at home is just a duplicate of my website on my dedicated server at DI. The address for my linux box at home is http://webfors.net

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

You read my mind tabernack (cough)... we did the same thing... except the fact I also have samba set on mine for my win lovers friends (bleh)

[SHSDavid]

I have been lurking in this forum for months, but this topic finally got me to register and post.

I currently resell for an Alabanza based host but would also some day want to get my own dedicated server. Of course before I do, I would want to learn as much as possible without creating any undue risk for my clients.

I also have purchased Red Hat Professional Server 7 and would like to set up a web server in my office as a learning tool for administering a dedicated server.

The only difference from the previous messages is that I have a BellSouth DSL connection instead of Cable Modem.

Would the methods outlined above be the same for DSL connections?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[webfors]

I'm not a dsl expert but I would assume it's the same procedure. You might have to set up a ppoe client if your dsl company uses ppoe. If it uses straight tcp/ip then the procedure would be identical.

[Félix C.Courtemanche]

I believe that RH7 comes with a pre-installed DSL solution. Something that will detect and prompt you for the correct configuration if needed. It should be pretty straight-forward to do.

[Vyper]

OK gurus, I have a question for you concerning the setup.

I am going through step-by-step in this book I have about setting up a Linux Internet Server and it says that I will need a router and a CSU/DSU to complete the hardware requirements. It also talks about multiple IP addresses involved in the setup that I would get from my ISP.

My first question...do I need the router and CSU/DSU to set this up at my office? Everything makes sense to have it as far as what the book is talking about, but I didn't see that you guys mentioned it in your post.

Secondly, I know that @Home assigns their IP address by DHCP, but know for a fact that I can set it up fixed. Although, that is only 1 IP address. How many do you need for the setup I am talking about?

And lastly, it talks about obtaining a domain name which I already have plenty of. As far as the nameservers it is going to ask me for, where do I get them? Of course when you host with someone, you either use their nameservers or they let you create virtual nameservers on your own. But in this setup, where are primary and secondary nameservers obtained from? Do I just make them up myself or does someone else assign these to me?

I appreciate the patience and any assistance you can give me guys. Can't wait to hear from you all!

Vyper out...

[BC]

If you're only learning how to break a Linux server and testing it and not running it live, you don't need a router or CSU/DSU yet (unless I am mistaken - someone correct me please). A router costs quite a bit, takes a lot of installation by techs onto a backbone and unless you were running a server in your office you don't need it. I suggest you do as Felix suggests.

You can set up your nameservers on your machine (usually through BIND), and they will usually filtrate through the Net.

[webfors]

Nope, no router needed. And you only need 1 ip and it doesn't have to be a static ip, unless you want to set up nameservers on it then you will need 2 static ip's.

[Vyper]

Yes, I am attempting to setup an actual "live" server in my office using RH7 and a cable modem. Here is exactly what I have and what I am trying to accomplish.

Hardware:
Intel Celeron 400Mhz
128MB Memory
6.4GB Hard Drive
2-PCI NIC Cards
CD-ROM Drive
3COM 8-Port 10BT Hub
3COM CMX Cable Modem
@Home residential cable connection

What I am trying to achieve:

- I would like to be able to setup RH7 as an actual "live" Internet/Web Server using the cable modem access.
- In addition, I would like to be able to provide Internet access to two workstations. One having Win '98 and the other, Win 2000 Professional.
- I would possibly want the server to serve one of my websites (personal home page).

I am not concerned about the uptime of the website since I am just messing around right now. I am attempting to set this up so that I can administer it on a daily basis and also try out the many control panels that are out there. Basically simulating a dedicated server setup.

Now, the cable modem nor the access has been installed yet. I would prefer that it be hooked up to the Linux box since that is the way most say it should work. I do however want to make sure that if it is that I'll be able to easily give the other PC's on the network access to the connection also. Providing the stand alone PC's Internet access is my immediate priority since that is the main reason I had ordered the installation.

If I wanted to serve the one website I mentioned, can this setup still work without having 2 static IP's? If so, whose nameservers do I use for that domain name if I am hosting it on my own Linux box? I know that I probably won't be able to go to my ISP for extra IP's since they'll SH** a brick if they found out I was hooking up a server on their network.