TinyCore/CorePlus 6.3 router on old machine

[Yaneka]

Hello, Tiny Core community! I am very excited to be here and also I'm a big noob to the linux based operation systems.

So, I happen to have HP Thin Client t5000 and an additional usb lan adapter. What I wan't to make is a home based router with Tiny Core OS. HP specs - 128mb ram, 800mhz processor, 4gb usb (as a hard drive).

Tiny Core was recommended by a friend of mine, I was able to install it without any problems and it is running very smooth and satisfying.
Assuming both lan cards take eth0 and eth1, I was able to connect eth1 to the outside world (usb lan adapter, safety from - storm, electric shock, etc) and eth0 with configured isc dhcpd.

Where is the problem? - I wasn't able to make them share internet connection and I don't understand where the firewall comes in here, also after system reboot I need to create /etc/dhcpd.conf and start dhcpd process again.

What do I look for? - Simple steps to make a working router for home, after a fresh TC(or CorePlus) 6.3 with GUI install (at least I got the install right *sight*). How to configure dhcp, firewall and internet sharing without losing configuration after system reboot.

Some people will say: Why don't you look in google or forums etc?
I am not the only one who will ask that same question, someone will ask for that again from time to time so it will be useful to have a thread on that specific subject.

Last but not the least - Thank you!

[gerald_clark]

Router building is not for Linux novices.
There are many security issues you need to understand.
Just buy one, or use one of the router project ISOs that are designed to run on your hardware.

[Rich]

Hi Yaneka
I agree with gerald_clark. Having said that:

... also after system reboot I need to create /etc/dhcpd.conf and start dhcpd process again.

First thing you need to do is to learn about how Tinycore works and about persistence, read:
http://tinycorelinux.net/corebook.pdf

Some links that may contain some useful information about networks, bridging, routers, etc.:
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,13971.msg78324.html#msg78324
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,12294.msg66221.html#msg66221
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,7134.msg37682.html#msg37682
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,12872.msg70599.html#msg70599
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,14811.msg84222.html#msg84222

[core-user]

One such router project you might like to look at is pfSense.
https://www.pfsense.org/

[Yaneka]

Thank you for the fast response! Feel free to trow any other ideas, anyone can benefit from that information  And also what I like in TC is that it found drivers for the usb lan adapter, I used to have FreeBSD but it had some issues with kernel root tree and download server, couldn't install them drivers.

[core-user]

If you are not restricted to Linux, another possibility would be to use Open BSD & PF.
http://www.openbsd.org/