First of all the configs :

Linux box:

Intel Celeron 333Mhz
160MB RAM
Mandrake 9.2
Kernel 2.4.22-10

Windows box:

Intel P4 2.8Ghz Prescott
512MB RAM
Windows XP


There are also other computers on the network, but they are not important for now.

I use the linux box to connect to the internet ( with an internal modem ) and it shares that internet connection with the other computers on the lan. It is also set up as the DHCP server. Security setting is standard.

I also want to be able to share files both ways between linux and windows, as well as use desktop sharing, I have downloaded VNC client for windows. I have used SWAT to carry out file sharing settings btw.

Now the internet connection sharing works fine, and I can even get the file and desktop sharing working, BUT not at the same time as internet sharing....it seems like I have a choice of either internet sharing OR file and desktop sharing.

To get file and desktop sharing working I simply go to mandrake control center and tick the box that says allow "everything ( no firewall )" , and I am then able to use desktop sharing...and I think file sharing as well. but the internet sharing stops working. To get that going again I have to go through the Internet connection sharing wizard again ( possibly the wizard for setting up the network as well...its been a while since I have actually done this....my memory is fading ), this then gets the internet sharing working again, BUT the desktop and file sharing stops again.

I want any computer on the lan to be able to access the linux box through desktop sharing so they can connect it to the internet when needed, and use the linux box to share that connection as well as sharing files on the lan, and i would like to do this without having a monitor, keyboard and mouse plugged in to the linux box.

I think thats all????
Did I miss anything? questions? answers?


Thanks


M

I don't know much about Linux and networking so i'll just skip that part of the question :P

Instead of controlling one computer with your other computer, why not look into KVM Switches? If you decide to look into this, I would suggest getting a Electronic switch vs a Mechanical switch. Well help this helps you out :)

im sorta with warklan on this one, just get a router and all the computers will talk to each other, and all have net access at the same time. plus in my experiance linux and windows machines do not like to talk to each other.