Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) makes it possible for all computers linked to a TCP/IP network to access the Internet with no need for further client hardware. They can thus share a single Internet connection. Data traffic is handled by a single server, and all data is provided via LAN. There is no additional cost to create such a shared Internet connection.
These connections can of course be made via ISDN or DSL with cFos.
Versions of Windows 98SE, Windows ME and Windows 2000 have all been released by Microsoft with ICS server capability. Clients may use different operating systems (such as Windows 95 or even Linux).
When connecting to a broadband net (like DSL) via network adaptor/Ethernet board, keep in mind that if the server is equipped with only one Ethernet board, all computers and the broadband modem must be connected to the same hub!
Under Windows XP, ICS is automatically installed.
Server: First, install an Internet connection via cFos (if one doesn't exist already). Then, share this connection with the network by right-clicking on it and selecting [Properties].
Now click on the index tab [Shared Use]. Mark the checkbox [Activate shared use of the Internet connection]
Windows XP resets the server's IP to 192.168.0.1. You can change that later but be careful to use only IP addresses reserved for private networks (i.e., 10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255).
Under [Options] set the [Idle time to disconnect]. This automatically shuts down a connection after x minutes without Internet activity.
This setting is especially useful as ICS does not allow clients to actively close a connection, which would require additional software.
Of course, if you are on a flat rate, this won't matter much. In that case, you may even want to adjust settings so that a connection is never terminated.
Each client's network settings need to be adjusted as well. Right-click on the network connection and select [Properties].
Select [Internetprotocol (TCP/IP)] and click on [Properties].
Under [Use the following IP address] enter this:
- the client's IP address, which must correlate to the server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.2; see below)
- the Subnet mask, which must match that of the server (usually this is 255.255.255.0)
- the server's IP address (under [Standard gateway]; e.g. 192.168.0.1, this must match the server's IP address)
Enter the server's IP address under [Preferred DNS-Server], too.
Click on [More].
Under [Standard gateways] you can [Add] the server's IP as well. Do the same under [DNS].
Whenever a client accesses an Internet site, the server automatically opens a connection.
Again, do keep in mind this setup does not allow clients to close a connection! Therefore, using a flat rate is advisable for ICS!
Under Windows 2000, ICS is automatically installed.
Server: First, install an Internet connection via cFos (if one doesn't exist already). Then, share this connection with the network by right-clicking on it and selecting [Properties].
Now click on the index tab [Shared Use]. Mark the checkboxes [Activate shared use of the Internet connection] and [Dial on demand]
Windows 2000 resets the server's IP to 192.168.0.1. You can change that later but be careful to use only IP addresses reserved for private networks (i.e., 10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255).
Under [Options] set the [Idle time to disconnect]. This automatically shuts down a connection after x minutes without Internet activity.
This setting is especially useful as ICS does not allow clients to actively close a connection, which would require additional software.
Of course, if you are on a flat rate, this won't matter much. In that case, you may even want to adjust settings so that a connection is never terminated.
Each client's network settings need to be adjusted as well. Right-click on the network connection and select [Properties].
Select [Internetprotocol (TCP/IP)] and click on [Properties].
Under [Use the following IP address] enter this:
- the client's IP address, which must correlate to the server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.2; see below)
- the Subnet mask, which must match that of the server (usually this is 255.255.255.0)
- the server's IP address (under [Standard gateway]; e.g. 192.168.0.1, this must match the server's IP address)
Enter the server's IP address under [Preferred DNS-Server], too.
Click on [More].
Under [Standard gateways] you can [Add] the server's IP as well. Do the same under [DNS].
Whenever a client accesses an Internet site, the server automatically opens a connection.
Again, do keep in mind this setup does not allow clients to close a connection! Therefore, using a flat rate is advisable for ICS!
Windows ME requires you to set up Internet connection sharing manually. To do this, select [Start] [Settings] [Control Panel], go to the [Software] entry. Click on [Windows Setup] and select [Internet connection sharing] under [Connections] and [Details].
The "Home Network Wizard" will now start. Select "Yes, use the following connection" and "Direct connection to Internet provider using the following device." Now choose the DUN connection you want to use for ICS. In the following menu select "Yes" and the device used to connect to the home network.
Windows will now offer to create an installation disk for the home network. This allows you to configure other Windows 9x clients in the local network. We will also describe below how to do this manually.
Following a restart, go to the [Control panel]'s [Internet options]. Under [Connections] the [Settings for the local network] entry can be found. Check the [Shared] option and click on [Activate Internet connection sharing], [Show icon in system tray], the intended [Connection to the Internet], and the [Primary network adaptor for the home network]. This selects the connection that has been set as standard in the [Dial-Up Network].
Under DUN connection properties, you can select "Dial" and specify a timespan under "Disconnect upon inactivity" after which a connection is automatically closed if no Internet activity took place.
Note that Windos ME sets the server's IP address to 192.168.0.1 by default. You can change that later but be careful to use only IP addresses reserved for private networks (i.e., 10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255).
Under [Settings] - [Network] check the TCP/IP protocol relating to the network adaptor/board. Under [Properties], you should enter the client's IP address and Subnet mask (e.g., 192.168.0.2 and 255.255.255.0), and under [DNS server] and [Gateway] the server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.1). Note that this is done exactly as described under Windows 2000 Client.
Again, do keep in mind this setup does not allow clients to close a connection! Therefore, using a flat rate is advisable for ICS!
First, create a shared DUN connection as usual.
Windows 98 requires you to set up the Internet connection sharing manually. To do this, select [Start] [Settings][Control Panel] and go to the [Software] entry. Click on [Windows Setup]. Under [Internet programs], select [Details] and [Internet connection sharing], which will then be installed. At the end of the installation process, you will be asked which network component(s) you want to share. Select the Dial-Up Network.
Go to [Internet options] in the [Control panel]. Click on [Connections]. Select the connection to be used for ICS and define it as "Standard". Click on [Shared]. Under [Settings] the [Activate internet connection sharing] option needs to be checked.
Under [Control panel] - [Network] you may want to change the IP address, which has been set to 192.168.0.1 by default. Be careful to use only IP addresses reserved for private networks (these are: 10.0.0.1 to 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 to 172.31.255.255, and 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255).
Under [Settings] - [Network] check the TCP/IP protocol relating to the network adaptor/board. Under [Properties], you can enter the client's IP address and Subnet mask (e.g., 192.168.0.2 and 255.255.255.0), and under [DNS server] and [Gateway] the server's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.1). Note that this is done exactly as described under Windows 2000 Client.
Again, do keep in mind this setup does not allow clients to close a connection! Therefore, using a flat rate is advisable for ICS!