How to use PC as Server/Gateway/Firewall?

[JWatts1980]

I just got a new PC about a month ago. It's a AMD X2 processor at 2.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HD, etc. It also has a Gigabit NIC and I dropped the old 10/100 PCI NIC from my derelict PC into it.

Right now the desktop, laptops, and NAS all connect through the Linksys wireless router.

I would love to set this thing up where the DSL connected to the PC, and the PC acted as the everything, the DHCP, firewall, and ran the whole shebang. The DSL modem has routing functions built in, but I have it bridged so its basically running pass-through and the router is pulling the public IP.

There's a lot of fun stuff I'd like to do with the PC as a server (secure FTP server, web server, etc). But its kind of a pain doing this through a NAT router, especially the secure FTP which I couldn't make work.

Let me say, if at all possible, I would like to maintain the XP MCE OS. I know many of you will probably shake your head in sadness at this, but there's got to be some ways to keep it secure, right?

And I have no idea what it takes to make a PC into a DHCP server, but I'm pretty sure it takes 2 NICs.

Another thing, if I make this PC the server, is it going to be practical to use as a day-to-day use machine? I mean, with MCE and a TV tuner, I would like to still be able to watch and record TV on it. But if its handling the server load too???

I just don't know. This is mostly new ground for me.

Any input would be great!

[cszeto]

http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?t=4529
http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?t=8924

[JWatts1980]

Ok.. so I can turn on ICS on the "server" PC and it will dole out IPs. Right? And make sure I have my anti-virus on the PC is on and updated, and make sure the firewall is on. Is that all?

I thought there'd be some big security issues/holes I'd have to do something about.

Does anyone know of some good monitoring/logging tools that will monitor ports and log the traffic through them?

[cszeto]

"I know many of you will probably shake your head in sadness at this"

You're actually going backwards from the Linksys configuration.

[JWatts1980]

Oh... ok. Alright. Point made.

I don't really have a PC I can put Linux on. From all I hear, if your going to do a server, that's the way to go.

[cszeto]

Firewalls are not necessarily servers, although servers can be "hardened" into firewalls.

Linux-based technologies tends to be at lower initial acquisition costs, but may not always be the best solution nor the lowest cost in overall Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).