Help: Connecting 2 Linux PCs

[Michael09]

Hi,

the scenario:

i have two pcs both having fedora core 5 32 bit linux installed on them. they both are single boot systems ie only linux on them no windows. none of them is gonna be connected to the internet. so this is just a small home network. only the 2 pcs talking to each other only. no more pcs are gonna be added to this network as well. i m completely new to linux, therefore please accept my questions as they are even if they are technically out of sense.

the objectives:

1. i want one of them to be the server (pc 1) and other the client (pc 2).

2. the server should should hold the log in details of each user that uses the other client (pc 2). whenever a user using the client pc starts the machine he should be prompted to enter username and password. just like a pc on a network in any university or company these days.

3. i will design webpages in php-mysql and store them on server only (pc 1) and these web pages should be served to the client (pc 2) just like any body accessing bbc or yahoo sites. this is sort of intranet set up. if a webpage allows users to a file for example their cv from the client machine, they should be able to do so. i mean i want file upload facility.

4. users using the client machine (pc 2), irrespective of whatever they save or modify as their personal file/work should be saved on the server only. just like a student or employee making a file then saving it on uni/company server space only rather the machine's hard drive.

5. i want users on the client machine to be able to check their e-mails. like on windows machines people can send e-mail to each other within the company using outlook express. i do not know which software is used on linux pcs to do so. please let me know. please remember none of the two machines (server or clinet) are ever going to be connected to the ineternet.

6. what do i need in terms of hardware, what type of cables, switch or router? i have a switch lying unused that be of any use here.

i think in order to achieve the whole thing, i must use http, apache, ftp, ldap, nis etc. but do not know which one for what purpose in specific. i have mentioned as what i want above. please guide me to achieve this. i will do my best. thanks.

[Andrew Cowan]

The easiest way to achieve this is by using Samba.

Start-off by configuring your server as a Samba server. You should just need to set it up using Samba/SWAT via your local web-browser, then add some Samba users with the same names as your Linux users, then when you setup he other system as a Samba client it will automatically mount that user's home directory.

[Michael09]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks a lot for the reply. I have just found out that crossover cable lying unused and I think I can use it since there is no switch/router available. Am I right? I can't find a step by step guide to configurin samba. Can you please help? Do I need to configure it on both the pcs? or just the server? Thanks.

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

1. You can configure NIS. Lot's of guides on the internet.

2.Logging- you have to configure syslog tool.


3.As for file upload/intranet- configure apache- same here, lot's of guides on the internet.

4. The best way to achive this is using NFS.

5.You'll have to configure e-mail server (sendmail) and client (evolution).

6. Since you have only 2 machines-you can connect them with ethernet cross cable. Ethernet card is required on each machine.

Best and honest advice: if you want it done in the near future - get someone to do this for you.

[Andrew Cowan]

Connecting two PC's via a crossover cable will work just fine. Basically a hub is not much more than a multi-way extension lead like you would use to plug several things into a single socket in your own home. Routers and switches just have extra intelligence built in that enables them to segregate traffic in order to maximise the efficiency of all the links.

The best starting place for understanding Samba is: http://samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-Guide/ExNetworks.html

Basically just think of Samba as Windows Workgroup networking. The main file to configure is "/etc/smb.conf" and you just start by adding your workgroup name here and then starting the "smbd" and "nmbd" services on both systems.

On Redhat its
chkconfig smb on
service smd start

For more information see: http://elibrary.fultus.com/technical/index.jsp?topic=/com.fultus.redhat.elinux4/manuals/rhel-rg-en-4/ch-samba.html

Good luck,
Andrew

[timmy2006]

1.IMHO SAMBA is to heavy and hard to setup for the first time.
NFS will be more easy to setup.
2. U need proftpd also. (man proftpd)
3. To get mail from pc1 you'll need a kind of pop3\imap4 server - i suggest courier imap.