How to setup Linux as a router for DSL, T1 line etc

last updated in Categories Howto, Iptables, Linux, Networking, RedHat/Fedora Linux, Tips, Ubuntu Linux

There are a few ways to set up a Linux machine as route. Here is a relatively straight forward and common method. This method requires that the system use iptables for Network Address Translation (NAT).

This step by step small howto will help you to setup Linux router only in 2 minutes.

Configuration steps

=> First enable packet forwarding
=> Next setup Network Address Translation using IPTABLES MASQUERADE targets
=> Save the changes
=> Verify everything is working

I’m assuming that your setup is as follows:
A) You are using any Linux distro

B) eth0 is internet interface (connected to router for example) and eth1 connected to your internal lan (connected to your HUB/Switch for example).

My Linux   eth0  --> Internet
box       eth1  --> Lan

Step # 1 Turn on ip forwarding in kernel

1) Open linux kernel configuration file (you must be a root user or use su – command to become a root user):
# vi /etc/sysctl.conf

2) Add/modify following line:
net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1

Step # 2 Restart network
# /etc/init.d/network restartOR# service network restart

Step # 3 Setup IP forwarding and Masquerading (to act as router), you need to use NAT option of iptables as follows (add following rules to your iptables shell script) :
# iptables --table nat --append POSTROUTING --out-interface eth0 -j MASQUERADE
# iptables --append FORWARD --in-interface eth1 -j ACCEPT

Step # 4 You are done! Test it with ping or dig:
# ping your-isp.com
# dig yahoo.com

Step # 5 Point all desktop client to your eth1 IP address as Router/Gateway. Or use DHCP to distribute this information (recommended)

Step # 6 Put code described in step # 3 to script and call it from /etc/rc.local file.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

30 comment

  2. Hi ,
    I put this rules, My client m/c able to ping to my internet router but not ping to any internet site like yahoo.com or google.com.
    Give me solution for this problem.

  5. Set up DNS name server by editing /etc/resolv.conf file:
    vi /etc/resolv.conf
    Modify/set as follows:

    nameserver 208.67.222.222
nameserver 208.67.220.220

    HTH

  6. using a client pc (xp box) i can ping my linux box 2 lan cards but i can’t connect to internet

    help pls. 😉 thanks!

  9. 1. Those having problems like “…can ping the IP address but can’t ping the site…” you can use the DNS server 4.2.2.2 in /etc/resolv.conf(open as root)
    2. those who can’t even ping the IP address ensure you have the right gateway specified in your network setttings.

  12. I would be more than happy to pay you to make my headache go away!!!

    🙂

    I’m so frustrated with routing and switching I could scream. I can’t ping any LAN computer from the router box.

  14. Guz Job well done on this tutorial.Am wondering whether when you are MASQUERADING AND FORWARDING you need to retain the comments on your script as shown that is

    ——————————————-
    # iptables –table nat –append POSTROUTING –out-interface eth0 -j MASQUERADE
    # iptables –append FORWARD –in-interface eth1 -j ACCEPT
    ———————————————-

    The comment symbol #
    cheers
    simo

  15. i can ping the linux server from clients. but can’t connect to internet from clients. in my network ETH1 is internet & ETHO is the link to client.. i am using debian etch. please help

  17. Hello
    I got everything working on CentOS 5.3. However iptables rules will not get saved unless you do # /etc/init.d/iptables save

    This will make your settings survive a reboot.

    * DNS is not working even when specifying it in /etc/resolv.conf

    I had to install bind on the router in cash-only mode.

  18. Hi ,
    My client m/c able to ping to my internet router but not ping to any internet site like yahoo.com or google.com.
    Give me solution for this problem.

  19. Dears,
    I have bought D-Link 2520U ADSL modem,
    my laptop model is SONY VGN-CR140E,
    and I use ubuntu 9.04, but I can not set up this modem on my laptop by LAN port. In fact I am beginner.
    Please help me to solve this problem.

    Thanks a lot.

  22. pls, inform step by step, setup linux router configuration steps
    and of the material about the configuration of linux machine as router

  23. i am able to ping to my gateway of router but not ping to any internet site like yahoo.com or google.com.

  24. thanks man. this is really good tutorial. I set up my Linux Router in just about minute after reading your post.

  25. Hi Vivek,

    Great tutorial.
    I have configured a Linux router with DHCP server and it is working great.

    When I blocked an IP using the following rule on Server, I am not able to ping the IP from the linux router however this IPs are pinging from other systems on that LAN

    iptables -A OUTPUT -s -j DROP
    iptables -A INPUT -d -j DROP

    I am not sure why this is happening , any input on this will be very helpful.
    Also if you have any suggestion on an easy firewall on top of iptables on the Linux router ?

    Thanks
    Seena

  26. Thank you !!! You really save my ass out. Been struggling for a whole day just try to ping google from client and now it works. :-x…..

  27. I have configured my Linux box as Router and I also used Squid (transparent mode) to improve our network bandwidth. Now I want to in my network client must pass my authentication (Username/ Password) but I found Squid Transparent mode not support authentication.

    Is there anyway to implement authentication for client ? Any third-party utility ?

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