[CLUE-Talk] Linux as a switch

[jdlabarnhart at home.com]

It could be done. 

The kernel supports routing and few other neat things. What I think that
You will run into is the cable lenths. You would most likely have to use
cross over cables for the interconnect between the nics. and that can be
a lot of cable.

10=15' approx.
100=40' approx. 

I had ran into that problem trying to setup an Xterm at home using spare
parts.

Jef



Brandon N wrote:
> 
> I've currently got a home network of around 3-5 machines depending on
> the day.
> I've been considering purchasing a ethernet switch.  Looks like I can
> find a good managed 12port switch on Ebay for around $80-100, then I
> started thinking.
> I don't have 12 machines (I would like to but power consumption is
> getting to be a factor)
> I have a probably 10 spare ethernet adapters and a few spare PCI
> motherboards.
> So, I'm thinking of building my own.
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with 4+ ethernet adapters in one
> machine?  I see IRQ's becoming the first problem, can they be shared?
> 
> I've seen several 4 port ethernet cards on ebay, anyone know if these
> are supported by Linux and if they share an IRQ?
> 
> How would the speed compare for a linux based switch vs a conventional
> one?
> 
> I can see several potential advantages:
> firewall, NAT, mixed media (wireless), excellent management options.
> 
> Brandon
> 
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