File Crate Router

The File Crate Router™

Coyote Linux	Runs from a single 3¼" floppy. No hard drive is used.
Inexpensive, standard hardware	Runs fine and fast (have seen over 1Mb/s on downlink) on a Pentium-S 90 MHz (over clocked to 120 MHz, just because) with 32MB of RAM. Stays up for weeks on end with no attention at all.
Linksys Ethernet	Uses the tulip driver for Linksys Ethernet cards.
No monitor / keyboard required	All administration can be done remotely.
Serial Ports	Supports logging in with a terminal (or emulator) connected to a serial port.
Remote login	Telnet access can be enabled.
Email notification	Sends an email when something interesting happens; the admin fills the RAM disk while tinkering :-), an outside host can't be pinged, the internet link comes up after booting or being disconnected. Each email is sent to my working PC and my cell phone.
Firewall	Runs a secure firewall that keeps outsiders out, while allowing insiders out. Since it operates from one write protected floppy, a hacker can't do any permanent damage. If the system should be hacked, a quick reboot will fix anything.
Free software	All software is free for the asking. A lot of brilliant minds have worked long and hard on the software used, and they generously give it away.
(Caution: Acronyms ahead)
NAT	Network Address Translation, let's everyone surf at once.
DHCP	Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, assigns an IP address to each computer that connects.
PPPoE	Runs PPP over Ethernet. Keeps the internet connection up as long as a connection is available from the provider (Earthlink in our case).

Coming Soon

Battery backup, just so I can see how long it will stay up without a reboot. After all, you don't need to surf and email while the power is off. (Unless you use a laptop, hmm...) By the way, my compliments to Greystone power for keeping our power on so much that we can't complain.