2. Internet Connection Sharing

This tool configures your system so that it acts as a gateway to the Internet for other machines connected to it via a LAN. In order for your machine to do this, you will need an already configured and working connection to the Internet and a network connection to your LAN. This implies at least two interfaces, for example, a modem and an Ethernet card.

[Warning]Warning

This wizard will also configure a firewall to block most connections from the Internet. You are encouraged to check that the firewall configuration suits you after completing the wizard.

After you complete this wizard, all computers on the LAN will be able to access the Internet. Their configuration will be automated due to the DHCP server which will be installed on your gateway, and the web access will be optimized due to the use of the Squid transparent proxy cache.

  1. Choosing the Internet Interface

    You first need to specify the name of the interface connected to the Internet. Make sure you select the correct one: use the examples in the on-line help as a guide.

  2. Choosing The LAN Network Adapter

    If you have more than one Ethernet interface, and depending on what you chose as your Internet interface, the wizard might ask you to select the one connected to your LAN. Make sure you select the correct one. Note that all traffic to and from this network passing through the gateway will be masqueraded, that is: it will appear to come from the gateway instead of from the LAN.

  3. Configuring the LAN Interface

    At this point, if it is the 1st time the system has been configured as a gateway, the wizard will automatically install and set up all the software needed for the gateway to function properly.

    Otherwise, the wizard will first offer to reconfigure the LAN interface so that it will be compatible with the gateway services. It is recommended that you leave the default options and click on Next. Then, all the software needed will be installed.

Configuring the Clients

A DHCP server has been installed on the machine. By configuring the clients on the local network to use DHCP, they will automatically use the Mandrakelinux machine as a gateway to the Internet. This works for Windows®, GNU/Linux and any other OS which supports DHCP.

For example, on a Mandrakelinux client system, make sure you selected DHCP in the Protocol pull-down list when configuring the network as shown in Figure 15.6, “Configuring a Client to Use DHCP”.

Figure 15.6. Configuring a Client to Use DHCP

Configuring a Client to Use DHCP