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'R.D.D.'
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ME Server V5 server and gateway software.
One of my secret weapons for a SOHO network is the free and open-source SME
Server V5 software from e-smith.org. It consists of a customized Red Hat Linux
installation on CD, together with server applications and management software.
The simple user interface automatically (re-)configures the server applications
as necessary. Say you have a home or small business network and you want a file
server for storage of common files. Or you want single internet gateway
connection for all other stations to share. Or say you want to run your own
webserver. Of course you will need a spare computer for the job, but these are
relatively easy to come by .. even a little Pentium 133 with a CD-ROM will do
the job - and the monitor, keyboard and mouse are completely optional.
 You
need SME Server V5. Did I mention it is free? It is also powerful, secure, and
very easy to use. Just set it and forget it, ha. If you are adventurous, see www.e-smith.org
for details on how to download the CD image file (350M) yourself. If you have a
friend with a high speed internet connection and a CD burner you are in
business. Or you can get a freshly burned CD mailed to you in the post for about
$5 per CD .. I got my first copy from Bill
Bennett at http://chguy.com. As always, you local [Southern Alberta]
customers can contact me directly
for onsite help. Then, once you have the CD, just pop it in your new server
hardware and run the install from the bootable CD. Although the only option is a
complete re-format of the entire hard drive on the computer being setup, the
automated installation is simple and straightforward, all you need provide for
the basic setup is a name for your server and your desired IP address for your
network.
In my office, I use SME Server V5 on a Celeron 500 system with a 40G HD. It
connects to the internet on a mostly dedicated phone line (no high speed
connections yet available here) and provides me with an mostly always on
connection to the net on all stations on my network. Very cool. It also works as
a file server, allocating IP addresses, verifying logon passwords, and providing
local and internet web services (see http://ssdirect.homelinux.com
which is only available when I am connected to the net). The administration
screens are accessible from any station with an internet browser.
Granted, for a internet gateway alone you could buy a tiny box router for a
couple of hundred. But all the additional functionality and flexibility of
a secure web and file server is well worth the investment of a dedicated PC.
That's what I think, anyway.
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