Suggestion On Which OS to Use and Learn

UNIX for Beginners Q & A UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers
1

I need some suggestion on which OS I should use if I only want to setup a router and firewall for my home network, and a print server for my HP Deskjet 682C. I have a 486/66MHz with 320 Meg HD with a modem and network card ready to go. I plan to have this box connected to my ISP all the time via the modem PPP. Also, my other 3 computers will be connected to the box via a 100-mbit hub. I need to set it up so that all computer will have internet access, and all can print documents.

So far in my research, I have found that Linux seems to be the way to go. My 486 is currently running the GNAT Box firewall program, but it doesn't support printing service (www.gnatbox.com).

But any other suggestion is welcome and appreciated.

-Hai

2

The new <A HREF="Index of /pub/linux/kernel/v2.4/">linux 2.4.0</A> has greatly improved firewalling over previous versions. You will need the <A HREF="http://netfilter.samba.org/">iptables package</A> to set up the firewall rules. You can also easily share printers with your Windows machines via <A HREF="http://www.samba.org/">Samba</A>