Daisy Chaining two computers?

Daisy Chaining two computers?

[Vann H. Walke]

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I have an environment in which network drops are limited.  We have two
boxes at each location, one running Linux, one running Windows.  What I
would like to do is set the machines up so that the Linux box acts both
as a pass through for the Windows machine and is usable on its own.
Thus, the situation would look something like:
 
       	  |   Linux	Windows
Network---|---|	  |-----|
   	  |    	     
  
To the windows machine it should appear that it is directly connected to
the network (including dhcp access, etc...).  I do not have the
authority to make any changes to the windows configuration.  The Linux
machine should appear to a user as being completely normal.

Can I accomplish this with netfilter/iptables?  If so, how?  Any
pointers to information on this type of configuration?

Thanks greatly,
Vann

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Re: Daisy Chaining two computers?

[KOVACS Krisztian]

  Hi,

On Sunday 19 March 2006 22.56, Vann H. Walke wrote:
> I have an environment in which network drops are limited.  We have two
> boxes at each location, one running Linux, one running Windows.  What I
> would like to do is set the machines up so that the Linux box acts both
> as a pass through for the Windows machine and is usable on its own.
>
> Thus, the situation would look something like:
>        	  |   Linux	Windows
>
> Network---|---|	  |-----|
>
>
> To the windows machine it should appear that it is directly connected to
> the network (including dhcp access, etc...).  I do not have the
> authority to make any changes to the windows configuration.  The Linux
> machine should appear to a user as being completely normal.

  If you don't have a shortage of (internal) IP addresses, then use software 
bridging on the linux box. It's very easy to set up and completely 
transparent.

  http://linux-net.osdl.org/index.php/Bridge#Sample_setup

-- 
 Regards,
  Krisztian Kovacs

RE: Daisy Chaining two computers?

[Steffen Heil]

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Hi

>   If you don't have a shortage of (internal) IP addresses, 
> then use software bridging on the linux box. It's very easy 
> to set up and completely transparent.

You don't need more IPs that would be Nat.
Since both systems shall act, as if they were directly connected to the
network, you want a switch / bridge.

I would recommend using a hardware switch, as is gives you more ports at
very low prices nowadays and you can reboot the linux system independent of
your windows box.
If there is a reason that you cannot use a real hardware switch, you can use
a linux software bridge. It will basicly be identical to a hardware switch,
but switch ports are more limited and the linux box must be running all the
time. Even reboots will (shortly) interrupt the network connection of you
other box.

However, if you don't plan to use the linux box as hardware firewall in
front of windows, then there is no benefit and I would definitely pefer a
real hardware switch.

And be warned, that when running as a bridge, the mac of you windows station
will still be seen at the network (remeber the linux bridge acts as a real
hardware switch).

Regards,
  Steffen

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