This trick shows you how to share your internet connections on multiple
computers within a workgroup with Windows XP. Windows XP has a built-in
feature that called "Internet Connection Sharing" (ICS) that allows home
users to share their internet connections on multiple computers.
If you are not familiar with the network configurations, the easiest way
to share your internet connection is to purchase a router or hub. Use
this trick only if you don't have a router, or don't want to use a
router, or if you just want to try out the feature.
A simple way to understand this feature is, you are making your host
computer (the computer directly connects to the internet) functioning as
a router for other computers.
What do you need?
- A "Host" computer that running Windows XP. This computer must have
at least TWO (2) network adapters. One adapter - let's call it "Adapter #1" - connects to the internet and another, "Adapter #2", connects to a hub or directly to other computers.
- Client computer(s), which run any version of Windows. A client
computer can be connected to the host computer directly by a cross-over
cable or indirectly through a hub.
- This trick assumes that the host computer is connected to the internet and you are able to access the internet on this computer.