We can use a Linux computer into a router in order to enable multiple machines to work on the same Internet connection.
This can be done by configuring the computer as a gateway and using Network Address Translation (NAT) to share the Internet connection with other machines on the network.
Here are the general steps to convert a Linux computer into a router:
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Configure the network interface that is connected to the Internet as a DHCP client. This will obtain an IP address and other network information from the Internet service provider.
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Configure the network interface that is connected to the internal network as a DHCP server. This will provide IP addresses and other network information to the other machines on the network.
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Enable IP forwarding in the Linux kernel. This allows the computer to forward packets between the Internet and internal networks.
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Enable NAT on the Internet-connected interface. This allows the computer to share the Internet connection with the internal network.
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Configure a firewall to restrict access to the internal network and protect it from unauthorized access.
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Optionally, configure a DNS forwarder, to allow internal network clients to resolve domain names.
There are multiple ways to achieve this, depending on the distro you are using and your level of expertise, but most common would be by using iptables, dnsmasq and iproute2. Some distros like Ubuntu, Debian and Arch Linux have pre-configured routing software like ufw and firewalld.
It's worth noting that this process can be tricky and requires some knowledge about networking. If you are not familiar with networking concepts and Linux command line, it is recommended to seek help from more experienced users or professionals.
