I mentioned a couple of days ago that I was configuring a new machine with
FreeBSD 2.2.2R. This is to act as a server for a new client of mine.
Currently it's serving a small network of about 10 Windows 95 machines.

The local network uses 192.168.x.x "private intranet" addresses,
for a couple of reasons:

  a) IP space is precious, I only have 254 myself, and I can't give too
much of that to a single client

  b) Using non globally routable addresses forces the workstations to use
the proxy, rather than bypassing it by using their own applications
configured to suit their needs. This improves bandwidth and security.
Important in this case, as it's a high school!

I've installed:

  * squid -- HTTP and FTP proxy
  * apache -- web server
  * ipop3d -- POP3 email server
  * gated -- routing daemon (for future expansion with redundant links)
  * dhcpd -- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol daemon, for assigning IP
addresses to workstations on the LAN dynamically
  * firewall -- to prevent IP spoofing and to block certain services selectively

The 2.2.2R distribution also comes with several features installed by
default, such as sendmail (SMTP) and FTP.

The prime focus is WWW access, so squid has most of a 1.2Gb drive for its
cache. Things could get a little slow if 10 people are accessing the WWW
all at once, but the local caching will definitely improve response.

The basic hardware configuration of the machine is:

486dx4-120
32Mb RAM
1Gb SCSI HD (/, /usr, swap)
1.2Gb IDE HD (/var) ... replaces the other SCSI HD that died :(
2 x 16550AFN serial ports
1 x NE2000 compatible network card

Getting the W95 machines talking to it was surprisingly easy. I've had
little experience with Windows TCP/IP, and I've been told that there can be
conflicts if you try to run a Novell client and TCP/IP together. However,
there were no major problems. The only grumble is that to configure the
DNS, Windows forces you to enter a local host name. Fine for one machine,
but multiply that by 10... I'm using DHCP to avoid having to configure 10
machines separately!

As per usual Windows holds my hand and tries to tell me things in laymans
terms. :) This can be quite confusing, as it would actually make more sense
to me to use a more technical term.

Anyway, that's my little ramble for the day (this area should now be going
up to Sydney!).

Cheers.


... rowan{at}sensation.net.au  |  http://www.rowan.sensation.net.au/
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