small network

[Advent Systems]

(2) pc's are located in building-1 (my home) ,(2) pc's are located in 
building-2,  and the laptop floats between building-1 and building-2.  
Currently, DSL services enters building-1 and the modem is connected to 
a wireless AP/router. I have cat-5 cabling running from the AP/router in 
building-1 to building-2.  Cable length from AP/router to farthest pc in 
building-2 is approx. 200'.  As far as there use, network wise, (3) of 
the pc's and the laptop are used for a combination of small business 
accounting, music management/distribution and image  
management/distribution.  The 4th pc, located in building-2 is used as a 
test/education box that could be cut off of the network if need be but 
it's nice to be able grab some music or images off the other boxes when 
I'm taking a break wile working/learning with this box.  Like I said 
using "windows networking" they all share files, have Internet access 
and are fairly well shielded from the Internet (as least as far as Steve 
Gibson says).

Bob Randal    

Cyber Source wrote:

> Ok, first question I would have is where are these pc's and what will 
> you be doing with/on them?
>
> Advent Systems wrote:
>
>> Hello All & Happy Holidays,
>>    I know this can get long and involved and I by no means want you 
>> guys to do my homework for me, just let me know if I'm on the right 
>> track.   I have (4) pc's and (1) laptop.  After spending 1-2 hrs. on 
>> the Internet researching I ran my cable, plugged them in, loaded my 
>> firewall software,  and clicking my mouse about 12 times at each box 
>> and my network was up and running, including wireless access for my 
>> laptop!   In trying to get the boxes networked with Linux I',I've 
>> spent easily 100 hours "surfing" (I use different distros and 
>> everyone seems to approach it and place network files and commands 
>> differently) I've purchased (3) books ( $100+)  and after months I 
>> can now ping each machine!  Questions: 1.) Do I need or "should" I 
>> run the same distro on each box, I know it sound stupid but hey!  2.) 
>> What do I "need" to share my files amongst my boxes w/o unduly 
>> exposing them to the Internet, ie. NSF, NIS, Samba,Firewall, etc. 3.) 
>> Do I need to setup one box as a dedicated server and the balance of 
>> the boxes as clients?
>> Again I don't need a step by step here.  I'm willing to put in the 
>> time It's just that its getting ridiculous and want to make sure I'm 
>> going in the right direction.  To Illustrate how bad it is I have NO 
>> boxes running Linux at  all right now  ( my boxes are all duel boot 
>> w/win2k) because  of my file sharing requirements.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Bob Randal
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