[ubuntu-uk] Can I use a desktop PC as a network hub?

[Kris Douglas]

On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 2:10 PM, Tom Bamford <tom at tombamford.co.uk> wrote:
> On 2/22/08, James Grabham <jgrabham at googlemail.com> wrote:
>
> > Right, Im setting up a p3 800mhz 256mb box as a firewall, file server,
> media player and to use for other stuff.
> >
> > Now I will have
> >
> > Modem>PC>old wireless router
> >
> > If I do this, I will have all network traffic coming at it through a
> single 10/100 connection.
> >
> > Instead of plugging all my wired computers into the router, can I shove
> some more NICs into the srever, and plug them into this, making it act as a
> hub as well.
> >
> > So Id have eth0 eth1 eth2
> >
> > Will this work.
>
> As far as I know, there are two ways of achieving this. You can either
> configure each card on a separate subnet and set your box up to forward
> packets between them, or you can create a bridge device containing each ethX
> device you want to bridge, and they will be configured as one device. The
> latter is probably what you're after, I have done this before to bridge my
> VirtualBox VMs with the rest of my lan and it works quite well.
>
> > Will I need patch or crossover cables.
>
> Whether to use a straight or crossed cable depends on the device you're
> using rather than the configuration. PC to PC, or hub to hub uplink demands
> a crossed cable, most other applications use straight cables (eg. PC to hub,
> hub to hub non-uplink).
>
> > All help much appreciated.
> >
> > --
> >
> > ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> > https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/
>
>

Hmm, would hardy's new Easy Firewall work in this situation? it lets
you route prots with simple commands.

-- 
Kris Douglas
      Softdel Limited Hosting Services
      Web: www.softdel.net
      Mail: kris at softdel.net