Alright, I have a desktop running xp pro and recently got a laptop running xp home. I am going to dual boot the desktop w/ RH 7.3 as soon as I can. I really would like to start some penetration testing and getting some hands on practice about security with my two machines. The only problem is that I really don't know where to start. My two computers are on my schools ethernet right now. I am guessing i will need some type of hub, switch, router, but which one. I was thinking about the router. Is it perfectly legal for me to use these programs on my school's network as long as I am doing it on my own box? I really don't want to ask the admin and have him jump the gun that I am going to break in their systems and be watching my every move. The type of pen testing would just be with many of the tools that I don't really know how to use such as netcat. Well any help on how to set this hacker lab up or anything else is appreciated.