Operating System Choice and Installation
There are about a million different types of Network Operating Systems out there today, including Linux, Windows NT, UNIX...etc. Problem is, those are either expensive, or very complex to get working as a server for the average user. I prefer to use Windows 98 Second Edition for two reasons. The first reason is that most people are used to the Windows 98 interface. The second reason, is because Windows 98 SE comes with a utility called ICS, or Internet Connection Sharing for short. What it does, is shares ANY internet connection, including dial up, with all computers on a LAN.
One can choose to use Windows 2000 Pro, Server, or Advanced server, but they are very expensive. If you wish to use Win2K, use the cheaper Pro version. If you plan on using two or more CPUs, you MUST use can not use Windows 98.
For the rest of this article, I will presume that you're wanting to install Windows 98 SE, which is the best choice for a cheap home server, in my opinion.
In order to share your internet connection, you'll need to install ICS after you have installed the Operating System. To do that, open up the Control Panel, and Double-click on the "Add/Remove Programs" Icon. Then
Click on
the "Windows Setup" Tab up on top
Double Click on the Internet Tools Icon
Check Internet Connection Sharing
Then Click the Okay Button
Then, ICS setup will automatically run. You will have to choose which Network card will be the card attached to your Cable Modem, and which will be connected to your Home Networked Computers. After you do so, you will be prompted to put a disk into the A:. Setup will make a Client configuration disk, which really isn't needed. After it's done, all you have to do is restart your computer, then go around to all the other networked computers, and do what's on the following page...