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The Network

I am very interested in how things work "behind the scenes". Corporate networks, websites, information systems, and ISPs are all things I have respect for; to learn how they tick inside and to take away their mystery have been my motivation in creating a computer network at home. Below are the details of my implementation. Things are fairly stable now and some of my adminsitrative duties are automated. My three main educational goals are:

• Creating and maintaining a network infrastructure -- designing an infrastructure that will meet needs and surpass expected capacity
• Automation of administration -- creating and running a somewhat self-sufficient computer network
• Frugal optimization of servers and services -- how to get more bang without spending the buck

Connectivity

Internet connectivity to the network is via ADSL. I am using Direct Network Access, Inc. for IP connectivity, and PacBell for the DSL circuit. On my end is an Alcatel DSL bridge unit. The circuit tops out around 40 kilobytes per second. Average latency from my end to DNAI's end over the circuit is around 25 miliseconds round trip.

There are two local access networks (LANs) in my home. Connecting the two networks together is a dual-homed gateway, a Pentium-class computer running Solaris. The host acts as a firewall/router.

Services

Future

Hardware

name	cpu	os	network	role
roadkill	sparc	solaris	int	workstation
detour	pentium ii	windows nt	int	workstation
xmen	sparc	--	int	xterminal
xenon	sparc	--	int	xterminal
uturn	sparc	solaris	int	smtp,nis,nfs
freeway	sparc	solaris	int	compute services
vista	pentium celeron	windows nt	int	windows services
temp	sparc	solaris	int	nothing
traffic	pentium	solaris	all	firewall
jam	sparc	solaris	ext	smtp relay, dns
roadblock	sparc	solaris	ext	httpd, ftp, dns
lightrail	sparc	solaris	ext	shell server