Special Edition Using Linux®, Sixth Edition

Required Kernel Components

The Linux kernel that ships with most Linux distributions is precompiled with everything you need to utilize IP masquerading. All that needs to be done to implement it is to load some kernel modules and set up some simple firewall rules.

For those who want to compile their own kernels, following is the list of items that need to be compiled into the kernel for NAT and IP masquerading to work (the names are listed as they are seen during a make config or make menuconfig procedure):

• Code maturity options:

  • Prompt for development or incomplete code or drivers

• Loadable module support:

  • Enable loadable module support

  • Kernel module loader (optional)

• Networking options:

  • Network packet filtering

  • Network packet filtering debugging (optional) ...