Local network for CAD installation

[ed2000]

It is planned to build a local network for installation there electronics CAD type of Cadence IC 5.
This net will incorporate computers with three OS (Solaris, Linux and WinXP)
In this connection there are several questions:
1) What is the best choice for OS of local network server? I need to have the Internet and reasonable security level
2) Which packages (programs) are usefull for the net? If exist give me any links please.
3) Reliable network hardware. What do you reccommend me.

Thanks in advance for any useful replies...

 

[geconom]

I have built a local network. From my experience, here are some brief answers:

1) I find UNIX-clones (Linux, Solaris) and their text based manipulations (commands and log files) more suited for administration. If you have a SUN workstation go for Solaris, it is more secure and stable. Otherwise, go for Linux.
2) Any linux distribution is full of tools like DNS server, firewall, e.t.c. Also you may want to check ip-masq (search in google)
3) I am using equipment from D-link. Eventhough it is not considered the top in reliability they are cheap and for me, they are working perfectly.