🚀 go-pugleaf

Hi Fred;

Fred Hebert wrote:

> I am looking for a Linux guru for some quick answers to questions about
> firewalls and proxy servers.
[snip]
> Nearly all of my customers are getting connected to the Internet.  Most only
> have dial on demand connectivity, but some have leased lines.  One of my
> favorite configurations is to user a proxy server to connect the entire office
> through a single ISP connection.  This way the private IP addresses on the
> network are not visible on the Internet.  This can also be done with some
> firewalls.  Is there such a product available for Linux? If so where can I get
> it?

Sure can, and it can be done easily too.

What you want is a reasonably current linux release (I've used the
current Debian, but other flavours may suit your needs).  Onto that, you
want to compile a custom kernel (easy stuff) with IP Masquerading
Support.

Then, put on some dial-on-demand software (such as DialD), and you're
away - it'll do a masquerading/firewalling service for a private network
to the internet over some kind of dial-up service using PPP or SLIP.

Check out the Masquerading Mini HOW-TO
(http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/mini/IP-Masquerade.html), as well as
the Masq. Resource Page (http://ipmasq.home.ml.org/).  Another cool
resource is the Masq. Apps page (http://dijon.nais.com/~nevo/masq/).

Good luck!

Richard

--
Richard Parry                                Network Controller/Analyst
National Library of New Zealand            Richard.Parry@natlib.govt.nz
Phone 64 4 474 3010         Mobile 021 664 655        Fax 64 4 474 3140