Internet Connection Sharing -- Internet Connection Sharing

This updated guide examines Internet Connection Sharing -- Internet Connection Sharing and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

You have many computers, if you have to set up a separate Internet connection for each machine, it is not reasonable at all. Fortunately, Windows has built-in Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) software to help all computers share a single Internet connection. First, you need to connect the computers together (see PCW 11/1998 page 101, October 1999, page 111, http://find.pcworld.com/32504). Next, you must have a working Internet connection. For a network of about 2 or 3 computers, the type of telephone dial-up connection is acceptable. But if the number of machines is more, or requires a lot of software downloads, you need to have a "good" Internet connection like broadband. Although ICS can also work with broadband Internet connection, you should consider using the router (http://find.pcworld.com/33362) instead of ICS. ICS is available in Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP Home / Professional. However, you should use a machine running Windows XP as an Internet sharing machine; The example in this article uses Windows XP Professional. For other Windows versions, you can see the instructions in the help section, find the keyword 'Internet Connection Sharing'. For Windows 98, you review PCWVN No. 10/1999 page 85. Quoc Tuyen PC World USA 03/2003 1. Activate the Network Setup Wizard. Click Start and select My Network Places. In the Network Tasks selection box, click Setup a home or small office network. The Network Setup Wizard will appear. Click Next.2. Make sure the computer network is working properly. Read the information in the 'Before you continue' dialog box carefully. If your computer network is working properly, you do not need to click on the 'Checklist for creating a network' link. Click Next. 3. Install ICS on the computer. On the 'Select a connection method' screen, make sure that This computer connects directly to the Internet is selected, then click Next.4. Determine the Internet connection used to share. On the 'Select your Internet connection' screen, select the connection you want to share. If you want to share a modem or DSL connection, choosing is not difficult. But if you have two network cards on the same machine, there is a 'trick' to choose the correct network card. To information, click on the link how to determine your Internet connection. If you still have problems, keep going. However, users who normally only have one network card installed will not have to worry about this step.5. Create a network bridge. The 'Your computer has multiple connections' screen allows Windows to set up a 'bridge' between connections, which is very important in ICS. If you are familiar with the network connection, click on the second option. For most users, click on the first option so that XP automatically determines the connection. 6. Name the computer with ISC and the network name. Some Internet service providers require specific names for Internet-connected computers (this name is displayed on the screen), although this is not necessary for dial-up connection types. If your ISP requires it, keep the computer name unchanged; otherwise you can name anything. On the next screen, you will name the network. All computers on the network must use the same network name. You should name the network WORKGROUP.The next screen summarizes the network settings. Click Next to terminate the process (may take several minutes). 7. Create a network setup disk. Next, you need to create a network setup disk for automatic setupfor other computers in the network to connect to the Internet via a shared machine. Although there are many options, it is easiest to use a floppy disk. Follow the instructions. 8. Install other computers in the network. Insert the network setup floppy into each machine, open My Computer, double-click Floppy (A):, and double-click netsetup. Follow the instructions. If you have problems, try running the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS machine again.