small network

[Advent Systems]

OK, I'm convinced nfs is the way to go, from what I gather samba is not 
for newbies, and I'm getting tired :) .
     I follow you re: windows Internet security but my stuff is really 
fairly tightened down.  I have cookies, java, java script off (I know 
there are some things I can't do on the Internet but all the things I 
want to do I can), mozilla is the ONLY thing that sysgate is allowed to 
let through ie. no windows services., and I don't open ANY attachments 
that I'm not  expecting (I'm a little paranoid) and my passwords are 
strong on everything.  I know that if someone skilled did a concentrated 
attack on my machines you could get in but the   average 
scriptkiddy/port scanning/war driver wont. 
    Whats the big/real difference between FC2 & FC3, man I still don't 
have everything up yet with FC2.  I really LOVE (don't ask me why) FC2 & 
Gnome but coming from SuSE and mandrake where you just put the dvd's in 
and 30min. latter EVERYTHING works! (but not stable imo).
    On the concept of setting up one box as a dedicated server and the 
others as work stations, Is the idea no data stored locally on the 
workstations?  Because I do have large stores of data  (waves, mp3's, 
etc) that  pretty much stay the same and could be put on a server but 
there still is a lot of data generated at the  other machines that  I 
would want to have available to the other machines.
    Lastly, are you suggesting the server would replace my AP/router for 
handling DHCP and gateway chores?

Thanks,
Bob Randal

Cyber Source wrote:

> nfs would rock in that scenario and any windows box is certainly NOT 
> shielded from ANYTHING on the internet. I would have them all running 
> FC3 (my personal choice) doing NFS, one as a server for NFS, DHCP and 
> gateway, the others as workstations.
>
> Advent Systems wrote:
>
>> (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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>