How to Open ICS on a Host Computer

Broadband modem

It is possible to allow several computers on a small local area network (LAN) to share a single Internet connection. The Internet connection is configured on a single computer that is a member of the LAN. A modem that can only accommodate a single computer connects to the Internet. You can share the Internet connection on the computer the modem is connected to so that all the computers connected to the LAN can access the Internet simultaneously. This is known as Internet connection sharing (ICS) and the computer connected to the modem is known as the ICS host. Internet connection sharing can be configured from within the Windows operating system (OS).

Things You'll Need

• Modem
• Computer running Windows OS

Instructions

1. Log on to the computer that the modem is connected to. Connect to the Internet to ensure that you have Internet connectivity via the modem.

2. Click "Start" then click "Control Panel." This opens the Control Panel window. In Control Panel click "Network and Internet Connections." This opens the Network and Internet Connections window.

3. Click "Network connections" under the "Pick a Control Panel icon" section of the Network and Internet Connections window. This opens the Network Connections window.

4. Right-click the icon that represents the modem connection to the Internet. Select "Properties." This will open a Properties window for that connection.

5. Click the "Advanced" tab. Select the check-box next to "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection." Click "OK." You will receive a request box informing you about how the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network protocol will be configured and asking if you want to enable Internet Connection Sharing. Click "Yes." Other computers on the LAN will now be able to connect to the Internet through the host computer's connection.

Tips & Warnings

• Configure the TCP/IP network protocol properties of all the computers on the LAN to obtain an IP address automatically. They will all belong to the same local TCP/IP network and will still be able to connect to each other and connect to the Internet via the ICS host computer.

• If the computer hosting the Internet connection is used by more than one user account, you need to log on using an account that has administrator privileges to configure ICS.

References

• Microsoft: How to configure Internet Connection Sharing
• Practically Networked: Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing

Resources

• Microsoft: Connecting to the Internet