ICS install guide - Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing

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Installing ICS - Architeching Your Network

ICS, or Internet Connection Sharing,

is microsoft’s solution to sharing internet access on your home network. A version of ICS server is included in Win98SE, WinME, Windows 2000, and WindowsXP (home and professional editions). This article covers only broadband connections (cable/dsl) but can be adapted to dial-up modems very easily.

ICS can be installed on most Home Networks in four steps

Mac Note

Mac computers can reach the internet through ICS too!
architect your ICS solution
set up your network
install and configure ICS
configure your clients

Architect Your Home Network for ICS

Architecting means understanding where Microsoft ICS server fits into the physical layout of your home network. It is important to realize that ICS needs to be run on only one computer. This computer, referred to as your ‘ICS computer’ or ‘server’ must be turned on and running for any computer on the network to access the Internet. This is because the other computers go though the ICS computer to reach the internet.

The ICS computer needs two network adapters installed (or one network adapter and a modem for a dial-up internet connection). One network adapter will go to the cable/dsl modem and the other will go to your personal network. If you are out of IRQ's, slots, or dont want to open your computer, a USB type network network adapter will work just fine.

Here are a couple of examples of ICS network configurations

If you have an internal DSL or cable modem, you only need one network adapter. Your internal dsl/cable modem will act as your other network adapter.

Once you have determined how your Microsoft ICS based network should look, put it together physically and install your network card drivers. Then move on to the next section.

My main ICS server computer runs

Windows 98/ME

Windows 2000/XP

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User Comments	202 comments
ICS install guide - Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing

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Rookie Needs Wireless HomeNetworking by teks - 8/29/2001 7:16:00 PM

Re: Rookie Needs Wireless HomeNetworking by Madan - 7/5/2004 8:01:00 AM

ICS network drawing by Salome Harrison - 9/16/2001 10:54:00 PM

Re: ICS network drawing by Cecil Ennett - 10/5/2001 8:43:00 PM

Re: ICS network drawing by Xtrecate - 11/4/2001 7:46:00 PM

Re: ICS network drawing by subha - 2/12/2005 10:08:00 PM

Re: ICS network drawing by ripon - 12/21/2005 9:52:00 PM

networking a satelite conection with aol by eric - 10/10/2001 8:17:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by Barry - 11/17/2001 6:39:00 AM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by roberto - 8/13/2002 5:05:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by Ken - 12/5/2001 8:51:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by MSaurer - 2/5/2002 3:52:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by mike - 2/10/2002 10:04:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by Linda - 9/19/2002 5:07:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by Lewis Burns - 12/20/2002 3:03:00 PM

Re: networking a satelite conection with aol by pamgaynor - 4/30/2003 6:32:00 PM

How to network XP via 1394 by Jason - 12/11/2001 1:30:00 AM

Re: How to network XP via 1394 by JOHN SHARP - 3/11/2002 4:40:00 PM

Re: How to network XP via 1394 by Greg - 6/1/2002 1:26:00 AM

Thank You homenethelp.com by tan feiyen - 1/2/2002 9:00:00 AM

Re: Thank You homenethelp.com by The ZeDD - 2/4/2002 8:10:00 AM

One PC won't work by Nathan - 2/12/2002 5:24:00 PM

Re: One PC won't work by bill - 2/16/2002 8:58:00 AM

Half-works, half-don't! by Chris - 2/16/2002 10:03:00 AM

Re: Half-works, half-don't! by antny - 4/1/2002 1:49:00 PM

Re: Half-works, half-don't! by John - 7/15/2002 2:04:00 PM

Re: Half-works, half-don't! by Martin - 5/8/2003 7:19:00 AM

ICS a satellite connection that only connects thru USB by Stevie - 2/18/2002 12:34:00 PM

Re: ICS a satellite connection that only connects thru USB by Troy Lapsys - 7/12/2002 4:45:00 PM

Re: ICS a satellite connection that only connects thru USB by mxtelcom - 10/9/2002 6:55:00 PM

Re: ICS a satellite connection that only connects thru USB by Rhonda - 3/3/2003 9:32:00 PM

Re: ICS a satellite connection that only connects thru USB by samron - 3/30/2003 10:19:00 AM

client is not getting to Internet by Ricardo - 2/20/2002 3:40:00 PM

client is not getting to Internet by Arepade Sito Harry - 3/28/2002 6:52:00 PM

client not geting through by Todd - 4/30/2003 11:37:00 PM

Re: client not getting through by S. Ramazani - 6/9/2003 6:12:00 AM

Re: client not getting through by Mont - 6/10/2003 10:19:00 AM

Re: client not getting through by Terrier - 4/14/2004 4:29:00 PM

Re: client not getting through by David - 8/31/2004 6:44:00 AM

Speed Limitation by Mullah - 3/18/2002 9:21:00 AM

Re: Speed Limitation by Mark Roberts - 1/20/2003 7:12:00 PM

Re: Speed Limitation by Don - 2/23/2005 6:20:00 AM

ICS on XP with 98 Client by Jeff Doig - 3/22/2002 10:15:00 AM

ics host computer by mike - 4/12/2002 5:43:00 PM

ICS win98 SE as Host and XP as Client by sudin - 4/12/2002 6:09:00 PM

Re: ICS win98 SE as Host and XP as Client by jonathan - 2/18/2003 3:34:00 PM

Re: ICS win98 SE as Host and XP as Client by Pappaduff - 5/23/2003 6:30:00 PM

Re: ICS win98 SE as Host and XP as Client by Pappaduff - 5/23/2003 6:28:00 PM

Re: ICS win98 SE as Host and XP as Client by mario - 1/12/2004 2:21:00 PM

client cannot go online?? by will - 4/16/2002 8:47:00 PM

Host can't Surf ! by Johnson - 4/18/2002 5:49:00 AM

How can I uninstall ICS on XP? by perryzip - 4/30/2002 10:24:00 PM

Re: How can I uninstall ICS on XP? by WW - 6/6/2002 11:28:00 PM

Re: How can I uninstall ICS on XP? by Ehab - 6/17/2002 10:01:00 AM

Re: How can I uninstall ICS on XP? by drdpc - 10/6/2002 7:15:00 PM

Here you can find information by Nicolás - 8/25/2002 9:35:00 PM

Re: Here you can find information by Gina - 8/27/2002 8:29:00 PM

Re: Here you can find information by Frank - 8/31/2002 5:03:00 PM

Re: How can I uninstall ICS on XP? by Stephane Lefebvre - 9/28/2004 1:45:00 PM

Windows XP ICS and W98 Email timeout by Peter - 5/4/2002 8:56:00 AM

Re: Windows XP ICS and W98 Email timeout by Sathya - 6/23/2002 2:18:00 AM

Re: Windows XP ICS and W98 Email timeout by mark padernal - 6/23/2002 1:30:00 PM

Re: Windows XP ICS and W98 Email timeout by Hauke Stange - 2/10/2003 1:41:00 PM

Re: Windows XP ICS and W98 Email timeout by kyla - 8/6/2003 8:25:00 PM

Hub and 1 Network Adapter by Mike - 5/5/2002 10:57:00 PM

Re: Hub and 1 Network Adapter by llama - 3/31/2003 8:19:00 PM

internet sharing by charlie - 5/6/2002 5:05:00 AM

home network probs with xp and 98se ? by tony - 5/8/2002 12:01:00 AM

Re: home network probs with xp and 98se ? by Mike Smart - 11/28/2002 5:55:00 PM

Re: home network probs with xp and 98se ? by Javier - 12/5/2003 7:55:00 AM

Stuck with by Rich - 5/14/2002 7:29:00 PM

Stuck with mshome.net? by Rich - 5/14/2002 7:34:00 PM

CLient comp can't browse but icq can online by James - 6/4/2002 5:29:00 AM

ics in dial-up modem by mike - 6/4/2002 11:16:00 AM

Re: ics in dial-up modem by Dave Williams - 6/6/2002 2:03:00 AM

Re: ics in dial-up modem by Jonathan - 1/26/2003 10:16:00 PM

connecting the computers... by first attempt network - 6/6/2002 2:37:00 PM

Can I use ICS with 1 network adapter ? by John Mcluskey - 6/22/2002 9:26:00 AM

Re: Can I use ICS with 1 network adapter ? by Troy Lapsys - 7/12/2002 4:59:00 PM

Switch to replace the HUB by Dnice - 7/3/2002 10:05:00 PM

Re: Switch to replace the HUB by Wilton - 2/13/2003 3:07:00 PM

W2K server & ICS w/ 2 98 clients by Brian - 7/7/2002 4:17:00 AM

ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Joe - 7/7/2002 11:43:00 AM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Chris Long - 7/10/2002 3:18:00 PM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Illah - 7/12/2002 2:43:00 AM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by andy - 7/12/2002 1:51:00 PM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by alistair - 7/24/2002 6:05:00 AM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Linzo - 9/25/2002 3:37:00 PM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Theriac - 9/16/2002 11:18:00 AM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Kal - 9/28/2002 10:14:00 AM

Re: ICS Extremely Slow for XP clients by Ben - 11/6/2002 9:32:00 AM

ics with MAC by frites - 7/21/2002 12:51:00 AM

2 PC each has own NIC, one external USB Cable modem by jenny - 7/31/2002 5:35:00 AM

Re: 2 PC each has own NIC, one external USB Cable modem by Linzo - 9/25/2002 3:51:00 PM

Re: 2 PC each has own NIC, one external USB Cable modem by Mike Smart - 11/29/2002 6:45:00 PM

ICS Client Internet Broswing Problem HELP!!! by jglenn16 - 8/2/2002 2:25:00 AM

Wireless ICS Hub by jw - 8/16/2002 9:56:00 AM

XP- 98 wirelss network - Zone alarm pro by Wayno - 8/21/2002 4:35:00 AM

ICS problems by Liam Common - 8/30/2002 7:54:00 AM

Re: ICS problems by Linzo - 9/25/2002 3:56:00 PM

98se client can't see internet by Dan Lowe - 9/1/2002 3:22:00 PM

Re: 98se client can't see internet by Dave - 9/18/2002 3:02:00 AM

Re: 98se client can't see internet by Linzo - 9/25/2002 4:00:00 PM

ICS with internal DSL modem and external ethernet/broadband router by Andrew Sherwood - 9/19/2002 1:17:00 PM

ICS on hub that defaults 192.168.0.1 by Karthick - 9/21/2002 12:20:00 AM

Re: ICS on hub that defaults 192.168.0.1 by Brandon - 3/20/2007 4:52:00 PM

Posted by Brandon

3/20/2007 4:52:00 PM.

Re: ICS on hub that defaults 192.168.0.1

You should enter the HUBs IP address into Internet Explorer to get to the setup page, then change it's IP address to 192.168.1.1 Then try to set it up

reply

Browser can't display on the client by William - 9/26/2002 7:36:00 PM

page can't display by Wilprima - 9/26/2002 7:39:00 PM

ICS by Marcsamus - 9/26/2002 11:54:00 PM

Win2000 Home LAN~Help!!!~ by Brent - 10/2/2002 7:12:00 PM

Re: Win2000 Home LAN~Help!!!~ by Dan - 10/10/2002 4:58:00 PM

Re: Win2000 Home LAN~Help!!!~ by John - 10/27/2002 1:52:00 AM

ICS XP CLIENTS TOO SLOW by nes - 10/15/2002 11:30:00 AM

Satelite broadband network sharing by Gary W - 10/30/2002 5:56:00 PM

Connecting XP and Win2000 by Inbody - 11/2/2002 5:23:00 PM

Re: Connecting XP and Win2000 by Wilton - 2/13/2003 3:21:00 PM

Re: Connecting XP and Win2000 by Tim - 11/9/2003 7:39:00 PM

Need help Sharing a Mac and a PC to Cable Modem by Dave - 11/13/2002 6:07:00 AM

Unable to PING XP Home PC with ADSL connected to it by Pete - 11/13/2002 6:27:00 PM

Re: Unable to PING XP Home PC with ADSL connected to it by net nerd - 12/30/2003 10:38:00 AM

Help after screwing up ICS by Gary - 11/27/2002 12:24:00 AM

Norton Internet Security by Mike Smart - 11/28/2002 10:08:00 PM

ICS + connection through null modem cable dont function. by Arkadij - 11/29/2002 6:22:00 PM

Mailing from workstation to workstation using Outlook by Paul Meesters - 12/1/2002 4:42:00 AM

Re: Mailing from workstation to workstation using Outlook by simple user - 1/19/2003 12:23:00 PM

switching client/server roles by Jonathan - 12/3/2002 3:58:00 PM

two PC's via 56k Modems by Richard Krupski - 12/6/2002 10:36:00 PM

Uninstall ICS Windows XP by David Gordon - 12/8/2002 10:02:00 AM

ICS works with Windows clients but not Solaris clients by Rich - 12/31/2002 6:14:00 PM

no more pci slot for 2 lan cards by Skychurch - 1/1/2003 10:24:00 PM

ICS and LAN Troubles! Help?! by Devyn - 1/21/2003 10:33:00 PM

Re: ICS and LAN Troubles! Help?! by Tony - 1/30/2003 2:13:00 PM

Re: ICS and LAN Troubles! Help?! by mennoted - 11/8/2004 7:20:00 PM

Internet Sharing over a LAN to a modem by Swany - 2/3/2003 7:56:00 PM

cant put 2 NIC into xp pro by bdeal - 2/6/2003 1:25:00 PM

XP - W2K ICS Discovery by jaqkar - 2/17/2003 1:35:00 PM

Internet Sharing with Infrared Port by Binod - 3/4/2003 10:59:00 AM

Re: Internet Sharing with Infrared Port by ishak - 5/22/2006 4:05:00 AM

Posted by ishak

5/22/2006 4:05:00 AM.

Re: Internet Sharing with Infrared Port

x know

reply

semi-ISP by Gerard - 3/10/2003 5:54:00 AM

Re: semi-ISP by Riz Sher - 3/27/2003 4:27:00 AM

OS networking by Josh - 3/27/2003 11:11:00 PM

Connecting Dial-Up between two Windows XP Computers by Steven G - 3/31/2003 8:05:00 AM

Re: Connecting Dial-Up between two Windows XP Computers by Steven T Gallaher - 4/1/2003 11:54:00 AM

Re: Connecting Dial-Up between two Windows XP Computers by Kitty - 11/24/2003 8:27:00 PM

Re: Connecting Dial-Up between two Windows XP Computers by corey lawson - 7/25/2004 12:07:00 AM

home netwokrin with wiless router by real1z - 4/4/2003 11:07:00 AM

ICS host kills dialout adaptor by David - 4/10/2003 5:19:00 PM

Re: ICS host kills dialout adaptor by David - 4/10/2003 5:26:00 PM

Re: AOL7 Broadband and ICS by Kerry - 4/14/2003 5:42:00 AM

Client can't surf by John Waggoner - 4/25/2003 3:53:00 AM

Re: Client can't surf by Todd Miller - 4/30/2003 11:55:00 PM

connecting 2 WIN ME comps to adsl by baz - 5/22/2003 1:35:00 PM

DO I NEED ICS? by Ben - 5/22/2003 3:28:00 PM

WiFi driver? by Jeff - 5/26/2003 7:42:00 PM

HELP ME ICS POCKET PC by Bojyo - 6/4/2003 6:31:00 PM

win xp pro ICS problem by Martin - 6/20/2003 11:05:00 PM

Re: win xp pro ICS problem by Hello man - 6/20/2003 11:14:00 PM

two ethernetscards by Robin - 6/30/2003 4:47:00 AM

redirect telnet with ICS and 98SE by Mark - 8/8/2003 8:12:00 AM

RE:Connecting by Banie - 8/23/2003 2:38:00 PM

ICS with 3 computers ? by Mich - 8/26/2003 11:02:00 PM

ICS, WIN2K Pro Win95 Client by G. Levin - 9/1/2003 4:49:00 AM

Re: ICS, WIN2K Pro Win95 Client by G Levin - 9/1/2003 6:53:00 AM

Host(Windows2000) Hung Using ICS by Elmer - 9/15/2003 9:03:00 PM

i can't share net. by ken - 10/27/2003 10:54:00 PM

ics hosting web sites by scott - 11/23/2003 2:49:00 AM

Re: ics hosting web sites by corey lawson - 7/25/2004 12:24:00 AM

ics hosting web sites by scott - 11/23/2003 2:50:00 AM

Clients won't display web pages by Charles - 1/15/2004 8:40:00 PM

Re: Clients won't display web pages by corey lawson - 7/25/2004 12:15:00 AM

IP Addresss - just one? or more? by jonas - 5/23/2004 4:49:00 PM

Need help. Very frusterated by Brad - 5/28/2004 4:52:00 PM

Re: Need help. Very frusterated by mekon - 7/6/2004 6:33:00 PM

2 Dialup Internet Connections, one network? by Melvyn - 7/27/2004 11:51:00 PM

How to do ICS between a Win 98SE and Win2k pc? by Li Xiang - 8/14/2004 10:03:00 AM

Wireless ICS question by Cellarboy - 8/15/2004 12:22:00 PM

NEED NETWORKING WITH A DIALER AND CABLE CONNECTION by eliran - 8/21/2004 12:13:00 PM

Standby mode and ICS by Sean - 8/26/2004 6:30:00 AM

internet port sharing by ashish - 9/29/2004 4:23:00 AM

conecting 2 computers by Lois - 10/19/2004 2:28:00 PM

Re: conecting 2 computers by PuertoCoqui - 10/27/2004 7:31:00 PM

Re: conecting 2 computers (cont.) by PuertoCoqui - 10/27/2004 7:33:00 PM

Re: conecting 2 computers (cont.2) by PuertoCoqui - 10/27/2004 7:35:00 PM

usb cable modem connection by simone - 11/2/2004 3:58:00 AM

Wireless Connecting PC running XP to W2K PC by kirky - 11/9/2004 3:30:00 PM

How to expand a wireless network using wired connections? by kalniel - 11/11/2004 9:02:00 AM

download by sadish paul - 12/20/2004 2:59:00 AM

Xbox live connecting on Windows XP by Ross - 12/23/2004 4:24:00 PM

Re: Xbox live connecting on Windows XP by Nicholas Spector - 2/16/2006 5:56:00 PM

Re: Xbox live connecting on Windows XP by steve - 3/3/2006 9:26:00 AM

Re: Xbox live connecting on Windows XP by joe - 3/27/2006 7:12:00 PM

how to install ICS usung windows 98SE.. by roselio - 2/8/2005 3:24:00 AM

dsl sharing a connection by john - 4/22/2005 9:01:00 PM

ics by ramon gorospe jr - 4/25/2005 2:26:00 AM

Making use of wireless PC as an access point for second non wireless PC??? by SusanL - 5/16/2005 8:50:00 AM

ICS/USB Modem by Pete - 9/5/2005 10:08:00 PM

Getting Playstation 2 online by neliö - 12/5/2005 10:12:00 AM

Re: Getting Playstation 2 online by Nicholas Spector - 2/16/2006 5:53:00 PM

network. by ryan - 1/26/2006 2:11:00 PM

Need help. by Zen - 4/27/2006 1:20:00 AM

wireless networking issues... by karl - 8/18/2006 9:56:00 AM

Posted by karl

8/18/2006 9:56:00 AM.

wireless networking issues...

my set-up is different to all the examples shown: -

internet connection is via a DSL USB modem and i'm wanting to share the connection via the onboard ethernet port, out to a wireless router and over to my laptop (both running XP).

if anyone is familiar with this kind of set-up can someone comfirm if a cross-over cable is needed to connect the 'server' pc to the router,this is the only thing i'm yet to try and would rather know before heading out to buy one.

thanks in advance...

reply

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