Description of Internet Connection Sharing
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
- Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
- Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
SUMMARY
This article
describes Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
Note that this article is for informational use only, and because of this, it
may not contain troubleshooting information.
For problem-solving information related to ICS, try searching again with the
following query words and keywords:
- internet
and connection and sharing
- dun
and modem and isp (if one or more of these words relates to your issue or
question)
To more effectively search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, use
keywords that relate to your issue when you search. For additional information
about how to more effectively search by using keywords, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q242450
How to Query the Microsoft Knowledge Base Using Keywords
MORE INFORMATION
ICS provides
networked computers with the ability to share a single connection to the
Internet.
If you have multiple computers, you can use ICS to allow you and others on your
local area network (LAN) to perform different tasks simultaneously. For example,
one person can send and receive e-mail messages, while another person downloads
a file, and another person browses the Internet. You can also gain access to
your corporate e-mail accounts from a client computer while others on your LAN
cannot. You can use Web-enabled programs (such as downloading updates) as well
as Microsoft NetMeeting and other video conferencing programs.
Internet Connection Sharing
Capabilities
- Multiple
users can gain access to the Internet through a single connection by using
Dial-Up Networking and local networking.
- Connected
devices receive transparent network configuration by using Domain Name
System (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to resolve
Internet names.
- Any
IP-attached device can connect, including older Windows-based clients,
non-Windows-based clients, Microsoft Windows 98-based clients, and Microsoft
Windows 2000-based clients, with no additional client software required.
- Connected
devices and software have comprehensive protocol support. For example, you
can play Internet games without additional configuration, or you can use
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) and Virtual Private Networking (VPN)
to gain access to your corporate network.
Windows Support for Connection
Sharing
To connect multiple computers to the Internet through a single
Internet connection, one computer must be running Windows 98 Second Edition,
Windows 2000, or Windows Millennium Edition (Me) with Internet Connection
Sharing installed. Other computers on your LAN can then gain access to the
Internet through the connection on the computer with Internet Connection
Sharing.
NOTE: ICS is a built-in feature of Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows
2000, and Windows Me, and is not a component available for download.
Internet Connection Sharing
Components
- DHCP
Allocator - A simplified DHCP service that assigns the IP address, gateway,
and name server on the local network.
- DNS
Proxy - Resolves names on behalf of local network clients and forwards
queries.
- Network
Address Translation (NAT) - Maps a set of private addresses to a set of
public addresses. NAT tracks private-source IP addresses and
public-destination IP addresses for outbound flows. It changes the IP
address information and edits the required IP header information
dynamically.
- Auto-dial
- Automatically dials connections.
- Application
programming interfaces (APIs) - For configuration, status, and dial control
for programs.
Setting Up a Network with
Internet Connect Sharing
Your ICS network is a type of local area network that relies on a
single computer called a gateway, through which all other computers and
TCP/IP-capable devices connect to the Internet.
The hardware and software needed to set up a home network includes:
- A
primary computer, called a gateway, that provides network connectivity to
the Internet. This computer must be running Windows 98 Second Edition,
Windows 2000, or Windows Me with Internet Connection Sharing enabled.
- One
or more computers running Windows 95, Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0,
Windows 2000, or other TCP-IP enabled client software.
- Devices
that are capable of connecting to the Internet.
- A
network connection device for each computer.
- Cabling
and hubs, depending on the type of connection devices you use.
- A
single modem (or an ISDN or ADSL line) for the entire network.
- Internet
browser software and TCP/IP drivers installed on each device that shares the
connection.
You can enable Internet Connection Sharing by using the Add/Remove
Programs tool in Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows Me:
1.
Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel,
and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
2.
On the Windows Setup tab, double-click Internet Tools.
3.
Click to select the Internet Connection Sharing check box, and
then click OK.
4.
Click OK, and then follow the instructions on the screen to run
the Internet Connection Sharing wizard.
For additional information about ICS, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q234863
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition Icsrm.txt File Contents
For additional information about troubleshooting ICS issues, click
the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q238135
How to Troubleshoot Internet Connection Sharing Problems
For additional information about troubleshooting automatic dialing
issues with ICS, click the article number below to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q236445
ICS Does Not Automatically Dial an Internet Connection
For additional information about disabling ICS, click the article
number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q230112
How to Disable Internet Connection Sharing
For additional information about problems with your computer
restarting before the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard finishes, or for
information about uninstalling and reinstalling ICS, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q227172
Your Computer Restarts Before ICS Wizard Is Set Up Completely
For additional information about problems setting up ICS, click the
article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q229829
Internet Connection Sharing Is Not Set Up Correctly
For additional information about ICS and TCP/IP requirements, click
the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q230070 TCP/IP Must Be Bound to All Adapters Connecting ICS Host to LAN