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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Networking

Enable Internet Connection Sharing with Win XP

Like previous versions of Windows, Windows XP ships with the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) feature, which allows you to use one Internet connection for several computers. For example, if you have three networked computers and one has an Internet connection, you can use ICS to share the single connection. Once you have shared the network connection, all computers on your network can use it to access the Internet. To enable ICS on the host computer, follow these steps:

1. Go to Control Panel and double-click Network Connections.
2. If you don't already have a connection to the Internet, use the Make New Connection option to create one.
3. Right-click the Internet connection and select Properties.
4. Click the Advanced tab and select the Allow Other Network Users To Connect Through This Computer's Internet Connection check box.
5. To automatically use a dial-up connection, select the Establish A Dial-up Connection Whenever A Computer On My Network Attempts To Access The Internet check box.
6. If you want to allow other users to manually establish and disconnect the Internet connection, select the Allow Other Network Users To Control Or Disable The Shared Internet Connection check box.
7. Click OK and click Yes to confirm.

After you have shared the Internet connection, your clients will be able to use it. But you must make sure other computers on the network are using DHCP. Follow these steps on the client computers:

1. Go to Control Panel and double-click Network Connections.
2. Right-click Local Area Connection and select Properties.
3. On the General tab, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.
4. Select the Obtain An IP Address Automatically check box and the Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically check box.
5. Click OK.