BT broard band USB modem and linux as a router

Hi all.

I've just ordered BT Broad Band with a FREE usb modem. ( I was to cheap to pay for a descent router :)

Would it be possible to get a pentium 1 class machine running linux to act as a router/internet gatway to a 5 machine 98/XP LAN. ( It doesnt need to do alot else ). I needs to be fairly simple to set up. Don't know alot about BB and routing :cry:

Can't afford a router/hub/wireless box at the moment but I have various small machines and a couple of copies of red had kicking about.
(Versions 5.1 and 6.2)

Cheers
Rob at rob bots

Yes this can be done the best thing is to download somehting like ipcop or smoothwall have a look at this http://www.ipcop.org/cgi-bin/twiki/view/IPCop/WebHome you will need 2 nic's in that box though

Would Red hat 6.2 on a P1 233mhz be able to handle network dhcp etc, do the routing ?
Would I need Xfree on it or could it all be done from the command line ?

Last and not least. The Adsl modem is usb. I assume it would look like a standard nic to the system when its installed and be treated as the wan side of the router ?

Cheers

Any linux distro would do but ipcop is designed specifically for the job of a hardware router. And you can configure it from your normal pc as it has a web based interface. and yes as long as ipcop or whatever distro you choose supports usb then it should be fine.

Thanks very much for the advice.

Time to start playing :)

no probs

I have had zero success finding support for the Intel USB modem that BT have been shipping in my area.

Sorry.