Member Avatar for hbmarar

hi ,

I am planning to make a linux server which should be able to support a web application for my team, act as print server, mail server, file server,security set up.No idea though can install Linux very well.

The ENVironment details :

This system(2 b linux box):
p3, 850 mHz, Mercury Motherboard, 256 MB RAM, 1 ethernet card(1 more is there places in the slot but LAN is plugged to only one).

Network LAN
Networked with Novell Netware, I find here a tree.

Also have :
Broadband connection, 1 public IP.

Is 2 ethernet cards required for this linux box to server the network as well access internet.

Is it possible to make this system accessible for a system for my system in my room through the internet.(I too have a broadband connection in my hostel.

Would there be someone who would like to help me with this atleast setting up the box after I install LInux in my system.I don't know why I am not getting a needed help..plz ...I request sincerely for your advice and time to take me a few steps with you...

regards

Harish Balakrishnan Marar

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by kc0arf

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Short, practical plan for this project (web app, print, mail, files, basic firewall) given the hardware and network described by .

Two deployment choices first: (A) place the Linux box on the existing LAN behind the current router/firewall — a single NIC is fine and the router does the public-IP/NAT work; external access uses port forwarding or a VPN. (B) make the Linux box the gateway/firewall — this requires two NICs (one to the ISP/public link, one to the LAN) and adds more responsibility (routing, NAT, firewall rules). ’s suggestion to treat the gateway case as a separate, deliberate decision is important — it changes required hardware and the security model.

Minimal, concrete steps and snippets to get started (replace interface names with the system’s actual names):

Enable IP forwarding temporarily and permanently:

sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
# add to /etc/sysctl.conf:
# net.ipv4.ip_forward=1

Simple NAT (external = eth0, internal = eth1):

iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE
iptables -A FORWARD -i eth1 -o eth0 -m state --state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
iptables -A FORWARD -i eth0 -o eth1 -j ACCEPT

(Note: some modern distributions prefer nftables; use whichever is native.)

Service choices and cautions: use a minimal server distro (Debian/Ubuntu-server or similarly lightweight install), deploy one service at a time — web stack (Apache/Nginx + DB), CUPS for printing, Samba for Windows file shares (or NFS for Unix clients). Running a public mail server is the most complex: Postfix+Dovecot works, but proper delivery needs DNS PTR, SPF/DKIM, and an IP with acceptable reputation; for small teams, relaying via an ISP/hosted mail provider is often easier.

Hardening and operations checklist: keep the system minimal and updated, enable SSH key authentication and disable root password login, run a host firewall, schedule automated backups (rsync/duplicity to an external disk or remote store) and test restores, and log/monitor. ’s pointer to step‑by‑step guides is useful for the hands‑on commands; if time or risk tolerance is low, consider hiring a consultant as recommended.

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Member Avatar for hbmarar

hi,

Thanks for that link and consideration.
I would read the link.

wishing you a great day and nice time,i remain

regards
Harish Balakrishnan Marar

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

You can get linux to do all that you are asking for: print server, mail server... but the integration of Linux into your environment will take a bit of experience, and I would not recommend it on your own, unless you have time to invest on learning it yourself. I would be calling in a consultant to take care of it for you, and can teach you how to do it successfully.

You can setup linux to work with Netware. Not extremely robust, but it does work. You can also have linux use Samba so that your WIndows computers can work with the fileshares too.

You will need 2 network cards if you want to work with an internal network, and an external network, and assuming that you want the linux box to also be your firewall. Do not forget to setup IPTABLES to properly firewall the internet connection.

For internet connections, you will need to use either SSH or VNC. SSH is encrypted, VNC is not. Both work really nicely. SSH for command line management and VNC for graphical management.

Don't forget to design in your backup solutions.

Christian

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