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I've got an old IBM r51, which aside from a dead hard drive, and unreliable keyboard, and a working intel 2100 wireless adaptor. I'm looking for a linux live cd or usb that i can connect into an existing wired network. Ideally i want to be able to administer it over web or through a GUI, and if possible get the 2100 working in master mode.

Additionally, considering it has a bunch of usb ports, the ability to work as a nas, with the same prerequisites would be appreciated.

I have some degree of knowledge of linux, so failing a prebuilt solution, suggestions on config of a customised system might be an acceptable alternative.

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Hmmm, not sure if it matters for the answers, but that first sentence did not get through well... So: it does have a working wireless adapter, I presume? – Arjan Oct 6 '09 at 15:00
yes. It has an intel 2100, and i'd want to use it if possible – Journeyman Geek Oct 6 '09 at 23:53
@Arjan yeah, combined with "dead hard drive" and "unreliable keyboard", "working wireless adapter" does somehow sound like a Bad Thing(tm). – quack quixote Oct 6 '09 at 23:58
wierdly yeah. processor works,ram works, hard drive was replaced, and died totally at some point. Keyboard has a few keys that won't seem to work. – Journeyman Geek Oct 7 '09 at 23:52
does it work with a "different" keyboard? – warren Oct 9 '09 at 11:37
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3 Answers

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For a router, take a look at M0n0wall or IPcop, whilst both of these are mainly advertised as a firewall appliance, they should be able to do what you want and act as a full router.

For a Nas - Look at Freenas

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the iso link for m0n0wall - m0n0.ch/wall/download.php?file=cdrom-1.236.iso – warren Oct 9 '09 at 11:36
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Vyatta has a Linux-based router that you can run from a bootable cd. I don't know if it supports wireless.

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Vyatta isos: vyatta.com/downloads/index.php This is probably the way to go, I'm pretty sure the live cd has the necessary drivers for that wireless card. – Tyler Oct 9 '09 at 22:01
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You can run OpenWRT on x86. The link includes instructions for making a bootable USBkey. There are packages that provide web administration but they may not include all the functionality you're looking for; however, you can administer all aspects via SSH.

There is an x86 DD-WRT but the free version is limited (no wifi), and the page claims USB is not supported in either free or registered versions.

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note these distros are designed as 3rd-party firmware replacements for home routers. running them on x86 may not be well-supported. – quack quixote Oct 6 '09 at 17:41
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