I'd like to build a box which performs as many of these functions as possible:
- ADSL modem (internal PCI card?)
- Firewall
- Simple web server
- Printer server
- Media storage + fileserver
- Gigabit switch or hub
- Wireless access point
- Any other suggestions?
- Keep the thing as quiet as possible
- Keep the thing as compact as possible
- Robust system - low maintenance once it's up and running
- Remote administration from other PCs on the network
I was hoping to condense this all down onto a mini-itx sized system. This is the kind of configuration I'm considering - although this is only based on about 20 minutes of idle googling so it is by no means indicative of the final system!:
- EPIA MII motherboard with fanless 600MHz Eden processor
- As much RAM as I need/can afford
- Dual PCI riser with MRI-IDSL02 (ADSL modem) and HP NC150T (Gigabit NIC/4-port switch combo)
- Netgear WG511T (PC Card 802.11g Wireless adapter)
- Large capacity storage HDD; how does the sustained transfer rate of a normal 7200rpm drive compare to the limits of a Gigabit LAN?
Software
As mentioned above, I imagine this would be best suited to a small linux distro - shell only, no graphics required. This is where I start to flounder... Is there an existing distro suited to such an application? Or perhaps one which can be easily customized/cut down? I've toyed with Gentoo before so I'm not a total linux noob, but I can imagine this project stretching my basic knowledge pretty far (before anyone tries to dissuade me on these grounds, bear in mind that I would relish the challenge!). As far as firewall, printer/fileserver and network bridge type applications go, I've really no idea what would be required. I'm willing to put a fair bit of research/effort/learning into this thing, but I'd really appreciate some pointers for where to start.
So, my questions in summary...
- Is this even slightly likely to work...?!
- Would the suggested motherboard/CPU be fast enough to cope with this sort of use?
- Is there a more sensible/elegant hardware solution? (Bear in mind I'm trying to do away with all those individual little black boxes which currently populate my hallway!)
- Any software guidance/advice you can give me?
- Possible methods of HDD-free booting?
- Any other comments?
Al