software connection Sharing guide

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Software based sharing

Software Based Connection Sharing

There are 100's of software based connection sharing solutions out there. Many of them are better than any broadband router on the market. Support for logging, application support, rules, content control etc are sometimes generations above any broadband router. There ARE some things you need to know though.

First, the free solutions are also the most simple. Microsoft has ICS built into many of it's operating systems but it does not support many advanced applications. It does not even work with NetMeeting or MSN Messenger - two Microsoft products! Retail solutions are often more robust but of course - they cost. If you only have two computers, be sure to check out the retail packages because many are free for small two-computer networks.

Second, the server must always be turned on. If the software that shares your internet connection is down, none of your computers can reach the internet. This is where broadband routers win - they are 'always on'.

Third, more features means harder to configure. More often then not, the 100's of configuration options found in the more robust connection sharing software can be confusing - even to a seasoned network guy like me. Basic setups are almost always easy but beyond that it usually gets technical.

Fourth, you are going to need two network cards in the computer connected to the broadband modem - or only one if using a dial-up modem. Two network cards are hard to get running because of IRQ conflicts. I always recommend getting USB Ethernet network adapter for your broadband connection to minimuze IRQ hassles.

Software based connection sharing

...falls into a few basic categories

Using Linux as a broadband router

Simple / Free solutions for Windows

Retail / Robust solutions for Windows

Software solutions for Macintosh

Linux as a Router

A Linux computer makes a great broadband router. Any Linux workstation can be configured to route internet traffic. -OR- if you have an old 486 or Pentium lying around, you can stick two network cards in it and use the floppy drive to boot a 'micro-distribution' that will turn a computer into a router - even if the computer does not have a hard drive! Read more here

Simple / Free Solutions for Windows

Microsoft provides a free internet sharing solution in Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP. It is called Microsoft ICS. Learn about it here. Other solutions include:

Analog-X Proxy link

WinGate - free for 2 users!

Remember, since these solutions are free; the often have very few features or support options. If all you need to do is browse the web on a few computers and check e-mail then these free solutions might be right for you.

Retail / Robust solutions for Windows

WinGate - free for 2 users!

NAT32 ( link)

NetGuard-5 ( link)

Surf Doubler (link)

WinProxy ( link)

MidPoint Review Both a NAT and Proxy solution

SolidShare (link)

ProxyPlus link

Software Solutions for Macontosh

See this page for software based connection sharing solutions for Macs but remember, Mac's can use broadband routers too!

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User Comments	99 comments
software connection Sharing guide

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Windows 95 Proxy by friedhelm - 7/24/2002 2:53:00 AM

pppShare by Mark p - 8/7/2002 3:38:00 AM

XP/2000 by John - 8/15/2002 7:19:00 AM

Re: XP/2000 by yougesh - 5/9/2006 9:22:00 PM

Great Internet Sharing Software by caiser - 9/10/2002 2:03:00 PM

Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by John McNally - 3/31/2003 10:05:00 PM

Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by ceprise - 4/3/2003 11:02:00 PM

Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by ila - 11/30/2005 10:16:00 AM

Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by Rebin - 5/21/2004 6:53:00 PM

Net Sharing by Help Seeker - 9/30/2002 4:05:00 AM

Re: Net Sharing by minion - 8/31/2003 6:13:00 AM

AOL Internet Sharing by Darrel Lewis - 10/4/2002 10:53:00 AM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Geoffrey Butterworth - 10/11/2002 6:43:00 PM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by ummm - 11/10/2002 7:06:00 AM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by robbie - 1/11/2003 1:05:00 PM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by William Seet - 1/26/2003 12:08:00 AM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by shelby - 5/30/2003 11:45:00 AM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Bill K. in Sydney AU - 11/6/2003 5:54:00 PM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by ade hills - 8/3/2005 12:50:00 PM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by David - 1/6/2004 5:13:00 PM

Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Max_Max - 4/8/2005 3:30:00 AM

Help solving internet sharing in a network by nick - 11/1/2002 1:33:00 AM

Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by moojoe - 11/19/2002 12:50:00 AM

Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by Stephen - 5/17/2003 5:25:00 AM

Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by The Jesus - 7/13/2003 7:10:00 AM

Qestion by Ramin - 1/11/2003 10:12:00 AM

List of sites allowd to share by Abila - 1/18/2003 2:28:00 PM

List of sites allowd to share by Abila - 1/18/2003 2:29:00 PM

Network Over will your DSL Mode? by Raymond Kirk - 1/22/2003 2:46:00 AM

98, XP network by Dark Dragon - 1/22/2003 12:45:00 PM

Re: 98, XP network by trimurtulu - 1/14/2004 8:06:00 PM

XP network (Dail up conection to satellite conection) by niyo - 10/14/2006 4:17:00 PM

Re: 98, XP network by Tazul Islam Chowdhury - 8/11/2004 10:15:00 AM

Re: 98, XP network by Robert - 1/7/2005 9:12:00 AM

win 98 & win XP by Dark Dragon - 1/26/2003 2:35:00 PM

Networking win98 and win95 by v3rd1g0 - 2/16/2003 8:06:00 AM

Re: Networking win98 and win95 by iDs - 4/30/2003 9:29:00 PM

AOL internet connection sharing by Donald - 3/21/2003 2:35:00 AM

Re: AOL internet connection sharing by DeeDee - 4/2/2003 12:17:00 PM

RE:AOL Wireless Modem ADSL Router Gateway Acess Point by Helder - 4/15/2003 6:30:00 PM

NETWORK by oolala - 4/26/2003 12:46:00 AM

Win Proxy by David H - 4/28/2003 3:09:00 PM

Networking by Jesse - 5/1/2003 10:13:00 PM

Re: Networking by ken - 7/18/2003 8:04:00 PM

Help, simple bandwith limiter by Terp - 5/5/2003 3:14:00 AM

DSL through USB by Nuno Barros - 6/2/2003 9:41:00 AM

Re: DSL through USB by kuno - 4/10/2004 9:51:00 AM

help me by sajid - 6/11/2003 4:42:00 AM

analogx by decofamily - 8/13/2003 11:17:00 AM

Internet connection sharing by Jane - 8/29/2003 10:36:00 AM

XP- ICS by Ian - 9/8/2003 4:31:00 PM

Re: XP- ICS by Gordy - 2/3/2005 5:15:00 AM

internet sharig problems by martin - 10/5/2003 2:18:00 PM

Cannot see the other computer on my home network by cat - 11/21/2003 8:17:00 AM

Re: using the printer on the two computers of my home network. by Conrad Thomas - 5/28/2005 6:18:00 PM

Re: Aol Internet Sharing by jr - 12/4/2003 6:29:00 PM

Wingate is no longer free by Phlip - 12/15/2003 9:43:00 AM

please help with networking by jenny - 12/31/2003 7:16:00 AM

Re: please help with networking by underplay - 1/10/2004 8:18:00 PM

Re: please help with networking by Astro - 1/11/2004 3:58:00 AM

Re: please help with networking by DrainBamaged - 3/18/2006 4:51:00 PM

Help by Celina - 1/19/2004 4:57:00 AM

Help by Celina - 1/19/2004 4:59:00 AM

Internet sharing by dial-up by Ronny - 1/27/2004 4:24:00 AM

Re: Internet sharing by dial-up by Amir - 3/13/2005 11:30:00 PM

Internet sharing by dial-up by Ronny - 1/27/2004 4:24:00 AM

Re: Internet sharing by dial-up by Terry - 2/8/2004 12:01:00 PM

internet sharing by Babu - 7/12/2004 10:26:00 AM

Re: internet sharing by Rocky - 7/12/2004 7:40:00 PM

internet sharing by CHARLES DSOUZA - 7/19/2004 10:01:00 AM

Internet and file sharing by Jason Beals - 7/28/2004 2:12:00 AM

The dangers of using insecure proxies! by Josh R. - 8/1/2004 10:17:00 PM

aol works but ie6 does not by norskmn - 8/15/2004 8:45:00 AM

Re: aol works but ie6 does not by Surely - 10/4/2005 7:48:00 PM

Help Setting up Winproxy to allow client computer to use aol 9.0 by ed amos - 9/15/2004 12:31:00 AM

Sharing an internet connection using a crossover cables with my four computers? by Tony - 10/31/2004 6:37:00 AM

Accessing the internet through hub with win 98 by morgan o'donovan - 11/6/2004 1:57:00 PM

Re: Accessing the internet through hub with win 98 by Linda - 11/27/2004 10:55:00 PM

LAN working, broadband sharing not by hopeless laura - 2/24/2005 12:22:00 PM

Home Networking (shared) by Murph - 5/2/2005 8:15:00 PM

Re: Home Networking (shared) by julian - 5/13/2005 5:38:00 PM

Use FreeProxy, it's better by Stu - 5/20/2005 8:11:00 PM

Ethernet Hub by Machine - 6/27/2005 12:55:00 AM

Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by P Sutton - 8/12/2005 7:41:00 PM

Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Ralph - 11/18/2005 2:59:00 PM

Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Jerome - 12/14/2005 5:21:00 PM

Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Greg - 1/11/2006 12:26:00 PM

WinGate Software by Matt - 12/21/2005 3:10:00 PM

Help with AOL and AnalogX proxy please? by Sian - 2/17/2006 3:51:00 PM

Re: Help with AOL and AnalogX proxy please? by sourav - 3/6/2006 9:34:00 PM

Nursing Software by Druno - 3/7/2006 2:33:00 PM

2 ethernet cards w/ speakeasy by Malinda - 5/3/2006 11:02:00 PM

broandband sharing by dijil - 7/23/2006 12:53:00 PM

lk by vinhlap - 9/26/2006 10:57:00 AM

Double Lan Card Routing by Dinesh - 10/30/2006 6:33:00 AM

Help by Kimberly - 10/31/2006 4:56:00 PM

Posted by Kimberly

10/31/2006 4:56:00 PM.

Help

I am looking for someone who has a version of Express Digital core or Professional edition that would be will to swap for something.... I am desperate I really Need this...
Thanks
ttpromo@texasthunderpromo.com

reply

NetModem Modem Server by James McMurphy - 12/12/2006 2:07:00 AM

Posted by James McMurphy

12/12/2006 2:07:00 AM.

NetModem Modem Server

The NetModem Server and client software allows Windows PC's to share modems located on a centeral PC running Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000 or NT.

The NetModem Server installs on the PC which will act as a modem server, and the NetModem Client installs on all the PC's on the network that want to access the shared modem pool.

NetModem replaces the Modem Sharing Service found in Small Business Server 2000 and earlier, and does not require a server version of Windows for the modem server to function. Active Directory user authentication can be enforced, as well as SSL/TLS encryption.

NetModem is shareware, and can be downloaded free from ://netmodem.com

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networking problem by jhon - 12/23/2006 9:07:00 AM

Posted by jhon

12/23/2006 9:07:00 AM.

networking problem

I have two computer-both with Windows XP-connected through hub which connect to modem.

Both computers can communicate each other. The problem is, one computer has no problem accessing internet, but the other one cannot access internet at all. In the connection status, "Limited or no connectivity" is written. Please help me, what should i do to make my both computer can access internet normally. Thank you before.

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