[CLUE-Tech] RH8 question

[David Anselmi]

Ski Dawg wrote:
> I have what may seem to be a somewhat odd question.
> 
> I have an old 486DX2 66 (32MB RAM) computer that I am trying to make
> into a firewall system. I wanted to install RH8 on it, but officially
> RH8 doesn't support anything below a Pentium.
> 
> The reason that I am wanted to use 8 is because it is the latest and in
> theory, the update process shouldn't take very long.
[...]

Boy, you're a masochist.  I guess you may learn a lot getting this to 
work, but it may not be worth the time.

I would think that you could get any old kernel rpm ("any old" means one 
that does what you want) and install it (assuming it doesn't have any 
dependencies that don't work with 8.0).  Then run lilo/grub and away you 
go.  My (dated) experience is that it's hard to slim down rpm systems.

To install a kernel rpm you'll have to boot a different kernel, but you 
should use the partitions you installed on as / etc.  I think there is a 
root= param you can put in at the boot prompt (knoppix or a boot floppy).

You could use Debian.  It is easy to get rid of stuff you don't want, 
and easy to keep updated.  I can get you Woody (stable) CDs that will 
do, with few updates.  Or Sarge (testing) CDs but they change weekly so 
updates are bigger (and the installer isn't working yet so it isn't as 
smooth to use).

You might also consider Gibraltar or one of the other "designed to be a 
firewall" distros.  Gibraltar runs from CD but you can get them either way.

Good luck!

Dave