Our problem is secure our network from intrustion from external network ( we have exp it ). I need a model that will be able achive this goal.
I am planning to setup one Linux machine to act as router between the college network and our network . I also want to install DHCP server, FTP Server (for some external organisaton to access data ).
If possible avoid ftp, use scp,sftp instead. Use ssh in place of telnet/rsh wherever needed. Harden your all cluster nodes. Put a firewall and IDS on linux server which will act as gatway to your cluster. Have some policies like 1. software upgrade policy: Patching up software on regular basis. 2. Cluster usage policy: Who and when one can use the cluster.
Select you distribution carefully. Personally I use and recommend debian because of its apt tools and debian social contract.
Ragards