I would like build in a server in my home network. My primary goal is to learn as much as possible about servers and networks. Therefore I will use Linux as server OS.

First, my current home network:
Cable modem -- Belkin wireless router -- 4 notebooks (wireless) & 2 desktops (wired) (All winXP Pro)

I've got my hands on an Dell desktop which I want to make as my server. (Dell dimension 4400; Pentium 4 1,7Ghz ; 256MB Ram)
The server has to work as a file server and a print server. Maybe afterwards I will make it work as a database server also.

The easiest way is to plug the server into the router and let everybody access the server through the router. But I would like to make it some more complex.

Is the possible to make something like this:
Cable modem -- SERVER -- Belkin wireless router -- ...

The advantage would be that the server has total control over the network. So I can scan the network traffic, block unwanted things... (You could block things in the router, but what do I learn with that?)

Do I need more hardware for this (expect the second networkcard for my server)? Will my server be able to cope with all the network traffic passing through? As my server will be powered day in day out, will it hold on for a few years?

Or do I have to set up my network on another way to be able to serve files, printers AND scan the traffic?

Nick