Ubuntu Linux Gateway Example
The following are the steps necessary to create a general purpose gateway to AMPRNet using an Ubuntu Linux Server.
Not everyone needs a gateway!
You only need to setup a gateway if:
- You want to access AMPRNet resources that are not accessible from the Global Internet.
- You want to provide access to AMPRNet over RF (via packet or using WiFi).
Design
The basic design consists of a standard PC running Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS) and three network connections:
- The first connection is to your ISP so you can reach the Internet.
- The second connection is used to connect your normal "non-ham" devices to the Internet.
- The third connection is used to connect your "ham" devices so they can see and be seen by other AMPRNet devices.
The following diagram shows the layout of the connections. (Click on the image to enlarge).
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Prerequisites
Hardware
I'm running an old Dell Optiplex GX260 (a Pentium 4 with 512 MB of RAM and a 20 GB Hard drive). You don't need much if your Internet Service Provider's bandwidth is 100Mb/s or less.
Along with the built in Ethernet network interface, I've installed two additional 10/100 Ethernet network cards I purchased from Amazon.
Software
On the Dell I've installed Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (the 32-bit server version).
IP Addresses
What is an IPv4 Address
An IPv4 address is a unique 32-bit binary number that is assigned to every publicly connected internet device.
To make the address easy for humans to read, it is usually represented as a four decimal numbers separated by periods (i.e. 192.0.0.2)
Static IPv4 from your ISP
What is a Static IP ?
Normally your ISP assigns you an IP address dynamically from a pool of IP addresses.