16.14. Configuring Your Machine as a Gateway

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

After you complete this wizard, all computers on the network will be able to access the Internet as well.

Figure 16-41. Choosing The LAN Network Adapter

First of all, the wizard will ask you to choose the interface connected to your LAN. You may have more than one in case the Internet connection already uses one Ethernet interface. Make sure to select the other one in that case.

Figure 16-42. Configuring The LAN Interface

Next, and in case your interface has been previously configured, the wizard will propose to reconfigure the LAN interface so that it will be compatible with the gateway services. You are recommended to just click on Next ->.

Once this is done, the interface is reconfigured and required packages are automatically installed.

Basically, a DHCP server is installed on the machine. Then, you simply tell all the clients on the local network to use your server by configuring them using an automatic IP configuration (DHCP). This way, they can auto-configure themselves to use the Mandrake Linux machine as a gateway to the Internet. This works for Windows, GNU/Linux or any other OS.

For a Mandrake Linux system, you just have to check the DHCP box when configuring its network:

Figure 16-43. Configuring a Client For Using DHCP


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