[plschwartz]

Now that I am retired I figured I have the time to learn Linux. I figured to make it practical I would use an older box to make a network firewall. The hard drive is 1.6gig so this might be a limitation. Two things I have found on posts here is openBSD and that Linux for dummies comes with a 3cd version of redhat. Is either better for a learner. If I start with openBSD is there much I would have to relearn to change over to Redhat or Mandrake. Is the Dummies book easiest for a dummy. Also will redhat easily fit on the 1.6 hd?
Lots of questions I know.
Thanks

[cpuhack.com]

To answer your questions in reverse...;-)

Redhat is a fine distro and will fit within a 1.6GB partition.

However, if you want a really good linux-based firewall...check out:

www.ipcop.org

Unfortunately, it mostly removes the fun of hand setting up an IPtables config file...but...you'll have a nice network router, firewall, and intrusion detection system. :-)

-Adam

[strudles]

I had problems installing RedHat on 2GB Drive. But I guess if you only install the bear minumum to get the firewall up and running, you should be fine.

[cpuhack.com]

A regular install should easily fit within 2GB. I have a RedHat 7.2 install (just using standard options) that fits into a 2GB virtual partition with much room to spare.

-Adam

[codejockey]

OK, my answers to your questions:

(1) the 1.6 Gbyte hard drive should be fine unless you (literally) install everything in the distribution (which is typcially 2 Gbytes or more). You're not likely to do this.

(2) OpenBSD is a fine product, but RedHat has the advantage that more people use it (or perhaps are more vocal about using it), which gives you a better resource when you run into problems. In general, there are far more similarities between Linux and BSD variants of Unix than differences, so regardless of where you start, your knowledge will transfer readily (with just enough differences to be maddening ).

(3) I can't comment on the Dummies book, as I haven't reviewed it. However, most newcomers to Linux find that it can be difficult to learn, and that's true pretty much regardless of which distribution you select. I added a few thoughts on this topic in this thread:

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread...threadid=72508

Hope this helps.