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Before you install NetBSD/i386 Firewall, you need to know some things about the computer you are going to install on, the Internet connection your service provider has, and after installation you need to change some things on all the other computers in your home.
Here's the information you need, step by step:
- The Ethernet card settings. A lot of different kind of network cards are supported, so unfortunately we are going to have a bit vague in describing this section. Most modern network cards are based on the PCI bus, and often they can figure out for themselves what hardware settings they need. Older cards may need settings like IRQ, Base I/O address, and such. If you do have such an older card, it's probably a good idea to write down the current settings if you have the card working with Windows 3.11 or Windows 95. Click here for some information on how to find the information. You need this for both cards! The installer is pretty smart in figuring it out anyway, so you may not be asked for this information, but be sure to have it anyway!
- The Ethernet card hardware addresses. Sometimes also called 'physical address' or 'adapter address'. Some cable modem providers require you to know this hardware address. This is information the factory built into the card - each card has an unique number, which you might compare to a serial number. You only need this for the network card that is going to connect to the cable modem or ADSL modem, but since most people don't know in advance which one that will be, or since they might switch during install, it is a good idea to find out if your provider needs that information, and if so, figure it out for both cards. Note: not all providers want this information. If they don't ask for it, you don't need this information. Click here for some information on how to find that information.
- (Maybe) the fixed IP address your provider gave you. For the firewall to work, it needs one fixed IP address, or a dynamically assigned one from your provider. Most cable and ADSL providers can give you a fixed address, some don't, and expect you to work with a dynamic address. If your provider gave you a fixed IP address, you need that info. Note that some may want to sell you more than one if you have more computers in your network. After installation of the firewall, one is all you need, and you can connect as many computers to the network as you want, with that one IP address. If you are already using a cable modem or ADSL connection, you may have set this one address up on your computer. Click here if you want to know how to find that information. If your provider uses the PPPoE (Point-to-point over Ethernet) protocol, you'll need the CD instead, because the network based install does not support that.
- (Maybe) the default gateway address your provider gave you. You only need this if you're using a fixed IP address. If you are already using a cable modem or ADSL connection, you may have set this up on your computer. Click here if you want to know how to find that information.
- (Maybe) the user name and password your provider gave you. You only need this if you're using PPTP or PPPoE to connect to your provider.
Here's some information you do NOT need:
- How much memory you PC has. As long as it has some, that's OK. the installer will figure it out and let you know if something is wrong.
- How big the hard disk in your PC is. Again, as long as you have one, that's OK. Remember however that the installer will wipe the entire disk, so if you have data on it you want to keep, make sure you have a backup.
