software connection Sharing

software connection Sharing guide
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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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99 comments
software connection Sharing guide
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Windows 95 Proxy by friedhelm - 24/07/2002 02:53:00
pppShare by Mark p - 07/08/2002 03:38:00
XP/2000 by John - 15/08/2002 07:19:00
Re: XP/2000 by yougesh - 09/05/2006 21:22:00
Great Internet Sharing Software by caiser - 10/09/2002 14:03:00
Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by John McNally - 31/03/2003 22:05:00
Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by ceprise - 03/04/2003 23:02:00
Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by ila - 30/11/2005 10:16:00
Re: Great Internet Sharing Software by Rebin - 21/05/2004 18:53:00
Net Sharing by Help Seeker - 30/09/2002 04:05:00
Re: Net Sharing by minion - 31/08/2003 06:13:00
AOL Internet Sharing by Darrel Lewis - 04/10/2002 10:53:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Geoffrey Butterworth - 11/10/2002 18:43:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by ummm - 10/11/2002 07:06:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by robbie - 11/01/2003 13:05:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by William Seet - 26/01/2003 00:08:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by shelby - 30/05/2003 11:45:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Bill K. in Sydney AU - 06/11/2003 17:54:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by ade hills - 03/08/2005 12:50:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by David - 06/01/2004 17:13:00
Re: AOL Internet Sharing by Max_Max - 08/04/2005 03:30:00
Help solving internet sharing in a network by nick - 01/11/2002 01:33:00
Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by moojoe - 19/11/2002 00:50:00
Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by Stephen - 17/05/2003 05:25:00
Re: Help solving internet sharing in a network by The Jesus - 13/07/2003 07:10:00
Qestion by Ramin - 11/01/2003 10:12:00
List of sites allowd to share by Abila - 18/01/2003 14:28:00
List of sites allowd to share by Abila - 18/01/2003 14:29:00
Network Over will your DSL Mode? by Raymond Kirk - 22/01/2003 02:46:00
98, XP network by Dark Dragon - 22/01/2003 12:45:00
Re: 98, XP network by trimurtulu - 14/01/2004 20:06:00
XP network (Dail up conection to satellite conection) by niyo - 14/10/2006 16:17:00
Re: 98, XP network by Tazul Islam Chowdhury - 11/08/2004 10:15:00
Re: 98, XP network by Robert - 07/01/2005 09:12:00
win 98 & win XP by Dark Dragon - 26/01/2003 14:35:00
Networking win98 and win95 by v3rd1g0 - 16/02/2003 08:06:00
Re: Networking win98 and win95 by iDs - 30/04/2003 21:29:00
AOL internet connection sharing by Donald - 21/03/2003 02:35:00
Re: AOL internet connection sharing by DeeDee - 02/04/2003 12:17:00
RE:AOL Wireless Modem ADSL Router Gateway Acess Point by Helder - 15/04/2003 18:30:00
NETWORK by oolala - 26/04/2003 00:46:00
Win Proxy by David H - 28/04/2003 15:09:00
Networking by Jesse - 01/05/2003 22:13:00
Re: Networking by ken - 18/07/2003 20:04:00
Help, simple bandwith limiter by Terp - 05/05/2003 03:14:00
DSL through USB by Nuno Barros - 02/06/2003 09:41:00
Re: DSL through USB by kuno - 10/04/2004 09:51:00
help me by sajid - 11/06/2003 04:42:00
analogx by decofamily - 13/08/2003 11:17:00
Internet connection sharing by Jane - 29/08/2003 10:36:00
XP- ICS by Ian - 08/09/2003 16:31:00
Re: XP- ICS by Gordy - 03/02/2005 05:15:00
internet sharig problems by martin - 05/10/2003 14:18:00
Cannot see the other computer on my home network by cat - 21/11/2003 08:17:00
Re: using the printer on the two computers of my home network. by Conrad Thomas - 28/05/2005 18:18:00
Re: Aol Internet Sharing by jr - 04/12/2003 18:29:00
Wingate is no longer free by Phlip - 15/12/2003 09:43:00
please help with networking by jenny - 31/12/2003 07:16:00
Re: please help with networking by underplay - 10/01/2004 20:18:00
Re: please help with networking by Astro - 11/01/2004 03:58:00
Re: please help with networking by DrainBamaged - 18/03/2006 16:51:00
Help by Celina - 19/01/2004 04:57:00
Help by Celina - 19/01/2004 04:59:00
Internet sharing by dial-up by Ronny - 27/01/2004 04:24:00
Re: Internet sharing by dial-up by Amir - 13/03/2005 23:30:00
Internet sharing by dial-up by Ronny - 27/01/2004 04:24:00
Re: Internet sharing by dial-up by Terry - 08/02/2004 12:01:00
internet sharing by Babu - 12/07/2004 10:26:00
Re: internet sharing by Rocky - 12/07/2004 19:40:00
internet sharing by CHARLES DSOUZA - 19/07/2004 10:01:00
Internet and file sharing by Jason Beals - 28/07/2004 02:12:00
The dangers of using insecure proxies! by Josh R. - 01/08/2004 22:17:00
aol works but ie6 does not by norskmn - 15/08/2004 08:45:00
Re: aol works but ie6 does not by Surely - 04/10/2005 19:48:00
Help Setting up Winproxy to allow client computer to use aol 9.0 by ed amos - 15/09/2004 00:31:00
Sharing an internet connection using a crossover cables with my four computers? by Tony - 31/10/2004 06:37:00
Accessing the internet through hub with win 98 by morgan o'donovan - 06/11/2004 13:57:00
Re: Accessing the internet through hub with win 98 by Linda - 27/11/2004 22:55:00
LAN working, broadband sharing not by hopeless laura - 24/02/2005 12:22:00
Home Networking (shared) by Murph - 02/05/2005 20:15:00
Home Networking (shared) by Murph - 02/05/2005 20:15:00
Re: Home Networking (shared) by julian - 13/05/2005 17:38:00
Use FreeProxy, it's better by Stu - 20/05/2005 20:11:00
Ethernet Hub by Machine - 27/06/2005 00:55:00
Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by P Sutton - 12/08/2005 19:41:00
Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Ralph - 18/11/2005 14:59:00
Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Jerome - 14/12/2005 17:21:00
Re: Sharing Verizon VZ BroadbandAccess by Greg - 11/01/2006 12:26:00
WinGate Software by Matt - 21/12/2005 15:10:00
Help with AOL and AnalogX proxy please? by Sian - 17/02/2006 15:51:00
Re: Help with AOL and AnalogX proxy please? by sourav - 06/03/2006 21:34:00
Nursing Software by Druno - 07/03/2006 14:33:00
2 ethernet cards w/ speakeasy by Malinda - 03/05/2006 23:02:00
broandband sharing by dijil - 23/07/2006 12:53:00
lk by vinhlap - 26/09/2006 10:57:00
Double Lan Card Routing by Dinesh - 30/10/2006 06:33:00
Help by Kimberly - 31/10/2006 16:56:00
Posted by Kimberly
31/10/2006 16:56:00.
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 02:07:00
Posted by James McMurphy
12/12/2006 02:07:00.
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 - 23/12/2006 09:07:00
Posted by jhon
23/12/2006 09:07:00.
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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