How to Configure Internet Connection Sharing

Many American families have two or more computers, and the individual users of those computers often need to access the Internet at the same time. Configuring your computers to share an Internet connection allows for this flexibility. The setup process is fairly simple, and varies only slightly depending on your mode of connection--dial-up, DSL or cable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Set up connection sharing

   Decide which of your computers will serve as the main or host computer. Log on to your main computer as Administrator and click Start on the taskbar. Go to Control Panel and click on "Internet Connection."

2. 
    
   Select your computer's connection

   Right-click your Internet connection. This could be a dial-up or broadband connection. Click "Properties" and select the "Advanced" tab. Select "Internet Connection Sharing" and click the check box labeled "Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection."

3. If you access the Internet through a dial-up connection, select "Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet." If you use a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable broadband connection, don’t select this option.

4. Click "OK." A message will pop up asking you to confirm you want to share your connection and show details of your connection, like the IP address. Click "Yes" to confirm. Click "OK" to close the window. Your computer is now set up to share an Internet connection.

5. Log on to your second computer as Administrator and click Start on the taskbar. Go to Control Panel and click "Network Connections." Right-click "Local Area Connection" and go to "Properties."

6. Click the "General" tab and go to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click "Properties." In the Properties dialog box, confirm that "Obtain IP Address Automatically" is selected. Click "OK" twice and close the Control Panel.

7. Follow Steps 5 and 6 above to configure your remaining computers to share an Internet connection.

Resources

• How to configure Internet connection sharing
• Enabling Internet connection sharing in Windows
• Windows XP Internet connection sharing

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