Networking n00b- connecting XP machine to Linux box

Hi! I am very inexperienced at networking, so I decided to come ask for some advice. I have my primary computer running XP and a linux box (running Mandrake 9.2). I want to put 2 NICs into the XP box and use one to connect to my campus's network, and then use the second to run a crossover cable to the linux box for internet and file sharing. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

If it was me I'd do it the other way around - put 2 network cards in the Linux box and use it for both file and Internet sharing. XP internet sharing had a bad reputation.
If you do put the second card in the XP box, search Help and Support for Internet Connection Sharing.
In either case, use Samba (http://samba.org) for file sharing.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I do realize that the logical choice for the multiple cards would be my linux box, but it is a vastly inferior machine used mainly for fun, and one which is apt to have much more downtime.

 

Can anyone tell me or direct me to a website containing the appropriate settings for the linux client?