I have a similar setup running in my home already, though the Win machine
runs WfW3.11.
> Linux sez at startup:
> >NE*000 ethercard probe at 0x300: 00 c0 df 42 34 d0
> >eth0: NE2000 found at 0x300, using IRQ 5.
Sounds like your NE2000 is OK.
> win95 offers:
> >NE2000 COMPATIBLE
> >IPX/SPX-COMPATIBLE PROTOCOL
> >NETBEUI
> Being win95 illiterate, which one sould I chose to work with linux?
"None of the above". At least for WfW, I had to go and get the MS/TCP package
from www.microsoft.com. When I got done installing it, I had a third choice:
TCP/IP. I had to make that the DEFAULT protocol for the WfW machine. This
is because the samba server you run on your Linux box doesn't (yet?) talk
IPX/SPX or NETBUI. But don't worry, my kids can still play hearts with the
microsoft protocols when they want to.
> Since I don't plan to advertise my machines' presence on the internet,
> can I use any IP number I see fit, or are there some reserved
> for such a setup as mine (LAN only)?
If you have a direct connect to the internet, AND your linux box does routing,
you will want to be VERY careful about what IP numbers you choose for the
Win95 machine. If your Linux box is acting as a firewall, you can be less
selective, though given the number of available IP addresses for hidden LANs,
there is no real reason to EVER choose a random IP address. Use one of the
reserved Class C networks for your internal LAN. If you ever decide that your
SO wants internet access, you can configure your Linux box as a proxy-server
for your internal LAN.
> Both boxes can connect to the internet via dialup slip/ppp,
> which machine should make the connection? Why? :)
You're asking this? LINUX! Why? Because it has BETTER TCP/IP software!
> We only have one ISP account and one telephone line,
> but would like to use web browsers at the same time.
Set up the Linux machine as a firewall/proxy server.
> If someone has a similar setup working, please send me the
> '3 easy steps' for both machines, else please direct me to
> the source(s) of wisdom. Done the linux-net-faq already.
Sorry, your talking about a complicated network setup here. There are no
"3 easy steps". However, all the software you need to do this is available
for free and for Linux. The Linux Journal has run a number of articles
recently (this year) on how to configure your linux machine as a firewall.
And I'm sure there is other documentation out there as well. Check out the
HOWTO/Mini-HOWTO index for some more pointers.
kc