1. Introduction
1.1 Introduction
FREESCO is a small (single floppy) distribution of Linux intended to
be a replacement for minor models of Cisco routers. FREESCO stands for FREE
ciSCO and has nothing common with SCO Unix.
FREESCO supports up to 3 ethernet cards and up to 2
modems.
Both, CISCO and FREESCO, have their positive and negative features. The main
advantage of FREESCO is its price, hehehe, you know this word, you like this
word, you love this word, what can be sweeter then this word. :) FREESCO will
cost you only your old dust-collecting 386 computer you were going to throw out
few years ago. The main disadvantage of FREESCO - it doesn't have dynamic
routing feature, it can be only a static router. Somebody can ask - "Why do
we need FREESCO project? There is already LRP
(Linux Router Project) which is more complex then FREESCO." Well, the
answer is - because most people don't need so complex solution as LRP is and
because FREESCO has the easiest setup you've ever dreamt of. Just wipe out a
dust from your 386 PC, connect it to network and after 10 minutes of setting up
(of course including a break for a cup of coffee) your router will be ready.
Other features of FREESCO are:
- Bridge mode
- Firewalling and Network Address Translation
- DNS Server
- DHCP Server
- HTTP Server
- Telnet server (only one connection per time)
- Print Server
- Remote Access Server (up to 2 modems)
- Time Server
So you can build a simple bridge or a simple router or a very complex
router/server which includes all these features.
Setup procedure offers you few basic configurations. Choose one and tune it by
adding or removing features.
1.2 Requirements
- CPU - any 386 or better
- FPU - not required
- RAM - min (with swap) 6 MB, normal (on the edge between swap/no swap) 8
MB, recommended 16 MB
- FDD - 1.44 MB or 1.2 MB (lite version)
- HDD - not required for 8-16 MB RAM system, but recommended (for swap and
for future extensions like http cache proxy server)
- Ethernet adapter(s) - 3COM509, 3COM595, 3COM905, Realtek NE2000
compatible, Realtek NE2000 PCI compatible, ISA/PCI NE2000 compatible
supported out of box. Many more adapters supported via additional drivers
you have to add manually from supplementary pack (it's easy, just choose
appropriate driver and drop it in a:\router\drv directory).
- Modem(s). Beware of winmodems, they will not work with FREESCO. If you
have old 386/486 computer w/o FIFO'ed COM ports it's recommended to use
internal modems as they come with fast FIFO'ed port.
- Read this manual at least once.
- Some brains and TCP/IP networking knowledge
1.3 Definitions
ISP - Internet Service Provider
DNS - Domain Name Service (Server)
DHCP - Dynamic Host Control Protocol
WINS - Windows Internet Name Service (Server)
client - (usually in this manual) computer connected to local network
NAT - Network Address Translation
1.4 Warnings
- Don't be lazy, read this manual carefully.
- Never edit any config files from DOS. Always edit them from FREESCO or
from another linux(unix).
- Read manual
- Before installation make sure your computer (router) is in a proper
working condition and all hardware (ethernet cards, modems etc installed in
it) work proper in this computer.
- RTFM
- Never use winmodems.
- Before report of bugs and problems read this manual.
1.5 License
License has been changed since Ballantain project and now new license sounds
- FREESCO is absolutely free for any purpose. By the way, Ballantain also is free now.
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