How to Share an Internet Connection

Windows Computer Tethering

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Configure devices in the network. When tethering through a mesh network, it requires a slightly different layout than a regular network. The usual layout is as follows:

Connect a network sharing computer (the "server") to a broadband modem using Ethernet or a 4G hotspot using USB. If you connect the modem to the server using Ethernet, you need two Ethernet ports (one to connect to the modem, and the other to connect to the hub or router).

Connect the server to the WAN port of a wired or wireless network router using an Ethernet cable.

Connect another computer to the hub or router using Ethernet or a wireless signal. Note that the computer connection requires no special setup, and is applicable to all operating systems.

If you are only connecting two computers, connect directly using Ethernet.

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Open the Network Connections window on the server. You can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R and type ncpa.cpl.

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Right click on the adapter that connects to the internet source. Could be modem or USB. Make sure that you only perform the above step with the adapter connected to the internet, not the adapter that will connect to the server and the entire network.

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Select "Properties" and select the tab. Sharing .

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Select "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection" (Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection). Select Apply to save the changes.

In this step, you can turn the server into a wireless access point if you have a wireless adapter. Click here for instructions.

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Select button . Settings. to enable specific services. This is especially important if another computer needs to access email, FTP, or other services. Select each specific item to activate the services you want.

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Open the wireless router's configuration page. Now that the server is installed, you need to configure the router to allow tethering. Please refer to the instructions for opening the router's configuration page.

If you use a hub or switch, you don't need to go through any configuration steps.

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Open the Internet Settings page on your router. Depending on the type, the page name can be different.

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Make sure "IP Address" is set to "Get Automatically". The item names may be slightly different depending on the router.

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Connect computers and other devices to the central router. The server and router are configured, now it's time to connect to another device.

If connecting via Ethernet, connect each computer via the LAN port on the router or hub.

If connecting to a wireless network, connect to the router as if using another wireless network.

Troubleshoot

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Can't see tabs. Sharing . This usually happens when you have only one network adapter installed. You must have at least two different network switches to perform internet tethering.

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Other computers in the network cannot connect to the internet. This usually happens when the computer does not get the correct IP address.

Make sure that you have enabled internet tethering on the server and on the internet-connected adapter. All other computers on the network should not have this feature enabled.

Open the Network Connections window on a computer that cannot access the network. (or press the Windows + R key combination and enter ncpa.cpl).

Right click on the network switch icon and select Properties.

Select the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" item and then select the Properties button .

Select "Obtain IP address automatically". Do the same for "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)".

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The computer can share files but cannot connect to the internet. Linking two network switches can help solve this problem.

Open the Network Connections window on the server (Windows key + R and then type ncpa.cpl).

Select the two converters you want to link. It's an internet-connected adapter and an adapter that connects to the entire network. Hold down the Ctrl key and select each converter.

Right click on one of the two selected networks and select "Bridge Connections". Select the Yes button when asked.

Restart the computer and try to connect to the internet again.

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You receive the message "An error occurred while Internet Connection Sharing was being enabled. (null)). This situation may be caused by an error in the Windows internet sharing service.

Press Windows key + R and type services.msc. Press Enter to open the Services window.

Find the following items:

Application Layer Gateway Service

Network Connections

Network Location Awareness (NLA)

Plug and Play (Plug And Play)

Remote Access Auto Connection Manager (Remote Access Auto Connection Manager)

Remote Access Connection Manager (Remote Access Connection Manager)

Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Telephone (Telephony)

Windows Firewall (Windows Firewall)

Double click on each of the above services and set "Startup Type" to "Automatic".

Restart the computer after setting up each service and try to connect to the internet.

Turn your Windows Computer into a Wireless Router

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Follow the steps in part 1 to enable tethering on the host computer. This method allows you to use a wireless adapter to turn a Windows host computer into a wireless hotspot for other devices. First, you need to enable internet sharing on the server by following steps 1 to 5 in part 1.

The server needs a wireless adapter to broadcast the signal to other computers and devices. If the server does not have a wireless card installed, you can use a wireless USB adapter.

Make sure you enable internet tethering on the networked adapter. Do not enable sharing on the wireless adapter used to create the wireless network.

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Right-click the network icon in the System Tray and select "Open Network and Sharing Center". This will open a window containing active connections.

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Select "Set up a new connection or network". You can find it at the bottom of the Network and Sharing Center window.

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Select "Set up a wireless ad hoc (computer-to-computer) network". If you use Windows 8, you need to download the free software Virtual Router (virtualrouter.codeplex.com, which has similar functionality.

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Enter the settings for the wireless network. Name the network and select the Security Format as "WPA2-Personal". Remember not to choose a password that is too easy to guess.

Be sure to check the "Save this network" option, or you'll have to reconfigure every time you start your computer.

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Allow computers and other devices to access the network. Once you've created your new wireless network and enabled line sharing, you can connect any computer or mobile device to the new network. Enter the Password Protection you set in the previous step to start accessing the network.

Troubleshoot

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My device cannot connect to the wireless network. Some older devices cannot connect to the local network, the problem is more serious if they do not support the WPA-2 format. If you must use that device on your network, try using the WEP secure format.

Tethering on Mac Computer

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You need to understand how to tether on Mac. OS X's Sharing menu lets you easily share your Mac's internet connection by installing any adapter. The computer used to share the connection is called a "server". You need to have at least two adapters installed on the server to be able to tether; one set to connect to the internet and the other to connect to the rest of the computers in the system.

If you have a wireless network adapter that you don't use (for example, a server connected to your modem via an Ethernet cable), you can use it to create a new wireless network and broadcast it to other devices.

If you have two Ethernet switches, one can connect to a modem, the other to a network switch or router. Computers and other devices can connect to this network.

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Connect the server directly to the internet. For best results, you should connect the server directly to an Ethernet bandwidth modem, or use a USB hotspot. If your Mac doesn't have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB or a Thunderbolt adapter.

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Open the System Preferences menu on the Mac server. Click on the Apple menu and then select "System Settings".

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Click on the "Sharing" option. This will open the Share window.

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Select "Internet Sharing" in the left pane. This activates the internet connection sharing function of the server.

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Click on the "Share your connection from" menu and select the internet source. If you connect to the modem via an Ethernet port or a USB hotspot, select the corresponding item in the menu list.

Click Start to confirm the activation of internet sharing. Note that activating internet sharing may disconnect your current network.

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Select the method you want to broadcast the transmission. The method you choose depends on how you want other computers to connect to the internet.

If you want to turn your Mac into a wireless router, select the "Wi-Fi" item.

If you want to connect your Mac to an internal network or wireless router, select "Ethernet".

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Connect the Mac server to the hub port or the WAN port of the router (Ethernet). If you want to share your internet connection through a hub or router so that other computers can easily connect, you can use an Ethernet cable and plug it into the WAN port.

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Reconfigure wireless network (Wi-Fi) settings. If you decide to turn your Mac into a wireless access point, click Wi-Fi Options. (Wi-Fi Options) to set a name and password for the network. Remember to choose the Security Format as "WPA2 Personal" and do not set a password that is too easy to guess.

If you live in a densely populated area like an apartment, change the "Channel" section to 6 or 11, these are the two most common styles. Doing so will minimize interference.

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Connect computers and other devices to a router or hub. The Mac server is ready to share the internet connection, and you can connect your computers and other devices just like you would with a regular network.

If you are connecting via Ethernet, connect each machine via the LAN port. They will automatically get an IP address to connect to the internet.

If you connect to a wireless network, follow the same steps for another wireless network.

Troubleshoot

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My other device cannot connect to the internet. This usually happens when you change the sharing settings after enabling the wireless network. The quickest workaround is to disable Internet Sharing, restart your Mac, then re-enable it and create a new wireless network.

Marvin Fry

Update 25 February 2022