Linux server acting as router for network switch (LAN party)

Question

I'm going to be hosting a LAN party as part of a youth group and need to set up a small wired network (about 10 people) for the players to access the server where the game files are held for downloading (Just a simple apache server, I know how to do that) and also to connect to the game server. I'm going to have a 24 port network switch (a bit overkill, but that's what I'll have) and a server computer.

Diagram:        etc.
                +----PC
SERVER---SWITCH-+----PC
                +----PC
                etc.

The server will be running Linux (Probably Debian) and does not need to be connected to the internet. I'm not very experienced with networking but I'm sure knows what I'm talking about.

QUESTION: how do I configure something like this? Is it just plug-and-play? Do I need to use some specific software and configuration?

Answer 1

I would suggest that you set up a DHCP server on that machine, because otherwise everyone need to set a static IP Also, just use Ubuntu, its easy and has a LOT of documentation on how to set up services (like DHCP)

How to set up a DHCP server in Ubuntu? link

Now also, i would HIGHLY recommend you use a SAMBA server for those game files! Apache is made for websites, not hosting game files.

Now SAMBA is made to be used as a NAS, so in theory, you should be able to host game files on there.

How to set up a SAMBA server? link

Also be aware that your machine should have an SSD of some sort to host those game files, if you use an HDD, you will get a MASSIVE bottleneck

And another piece of advice, from my own experience... build the whole thing a week before the event! if anything happens, or if you need to learn something extra, you will have plenty of time to do so :)