Topic: 486 w/o co-processor

[Ben Thorp]

OK - I've been trying to install the SME Server version that Linux Format had on one of their cover CDs a couple of months ago. The machine currently has an old Slackware install on it. I have created a normal boot.img boot disk, but when I reboot it starts to boot the disk, and then tells me that because I have no co-processor it won't continue. (

Is it possible to install on a 486 without co-processor? If so, how do I tell it this - there did not seem to be a boot-prompt to enter any options at. Is it possible that the cover-CD edition is a cut-down version, and I would have to download the 'full' version instead?

Any advise greatly appreciated.

[Ray Mitchell]

From
http://edocs.mitel.com/
6000 Managed App Server

Minimum spec for v5.6 is
Architecture PCI-based Pentium-class processor  
Processor speed 90 MHz (or better)
Minimum RAM 64 MB

Perhaps if your 486 had a coprocessor you might stand a chance but it would run very slowly.

e-smith v4.1.2 ran OK on 486 class machines but it is now out of date, use at your own risk re security issues etc

Regs
Ray

[Ben Thorp]

Thanks for the info

(At the risk of pushing my luck) do you think I am better off getting a copy of e-smith 4.1.2, or is there another router/firewall distro that I should try instead?

[Terry]

If you're interested in security it wouldn't be advised to use anything older then v 5.6.  I don't think Mitel will be releasing any more updates for 5.5, and hasn't released updates for anything older then that in months.  As for 4.1.2, if you used it and a hacker probed your box, I'm sure he'd find an in and you'd be owned in a matter of minutes.  There was some talk on another list of a e-smith box that was not kept up-to-date (didn't mention the version) that got rooted last week some time.  So, use out dated versions at your own risk!

[Dave Liquorice]

> ... do you think I am better off getting a copy of e-smith 4.1.2, or is
> there another router/firewall distro that I should try instead?

I wouldn't use 4.1.2, it's positively ancient and unsupported., it'll work but at what risk?

If all you want is a firewall/router take a look at IPCop, Smoothwall, etc.

Cheers
Dave.

[Tom Haynes]

If all you want is firewall, NAT, etc. try IPCop.

I had it running on a 486 for a while. The web management was pretty slow, but it worked.

[Michael Smith]

How about a floppy-based distro, if you just want it for router/gateway use?  I used FreeSCO in numerous installations with great results, but it's not in active development now AFAIK.  OTOH, there's the new version of Coyote Linux:

http://www.coyotelinux.com/modules.php?name=Products&op=coyote

Worth a look, methinks!

[philippe peltier]

is
> > there another router/firewall distro that I should try
> instead?



For a 486, try coyote distro.. it should work...

search for coyote linux on google..

--
Phil.

[Ray Mitchell]

Ben

I think you wuld be better off to use sme v5.6 as it is, the feature set is very good and it all works well despite objections from various users re not having a firewall in the same box as your server etc etc.

I would only suggest you use the 486 running v4.1.2 as a test box to learn about e-smith/sme if you really must, but to connect it to the Internet for production purposes would be dangerous (security wise).

Preferably ditch the 486 box and get yourself a low end pentium. Old pentiums are being trashed every day and are cheap or free to acquire.  I have 5.6U4 running on a P133 with 64Mb RAM, but I would say that is absolute minimum spec, and it does run OK, although slowly.

Something like a Pent 333 (or P233) with 128 or 256Mb RAM would give quite reasonable performance as a full featured gateway, web & file server, I have set one up with 5.6U4 and it is running OK.

Regards
Ray

[Dave]

You could try GnatBox: www.gnatbox.com

[Dave]

Newer link: http://www.gta.com/products/gblight/

Runs from RAM.