by Anthony Roberts

Created on: September 19, 2009

Internet Connection Sharing (ICU) is a useful feature implemented in Windows 98 Second Edition, going forward into future iterations of Windows, which allows a computer to "piggyback" an Internet connection from another computer - Thus eliminating the need for a wireless adapter, a very long Ethernet cord, or even a router altogether.

An ICU can be used with a variety of set-ups:

(Note: "Host PC" refers to the Personal Computer (PC) that is connecting to the Internet)

* Host PC connects wireless to a wireless router, and another PC connects wired to the Host PC. (Most common use.)

* Host PC connects wired to a non-wireless router or directly to a modem, and another PC connects wired to the Host PC. (This scenario will require the Host PC to possess TWO Ethernet ports.)

* Host PC connects wired to a non-wireless router or directly to a modem, and one or more PCs connect wireless to the Host PC.

* Host PC connects directly to a modem, and one or more PCs connect wired to a hub. This hub is then connected to the Host PC.

One thing to note is that in all scenarios above, at least one PC is connecting to another via a cable. Internet Connection Sharing is essentially useless if all PCs involved have wireless, as you will require a wireless router to connect your Host PC to the Internet. If you do not have a wireless router, and none of your PCs have Ethernet capabilities (Wired connections), then you unfortunately do not have the proper equipment to get on-line. Though this is unlikely as all modern-day PCs have an Ethernet port equipped.

To begin, you will need to dub one of your PCs as the "Host PC". This PC will channel all the traffic to your router or modem to communicate with the outside world. Ensure that the Host PC is currently connected to the Internet.

Navigate to your Control Panel and find: "Network", "Network Neighborhood", "Network Connections" or "Network and Sharing Center".

Depending on how the Host PC will connect to the Internet you will need to share a specific connection:

- If the Host PC will connect wireless to a router, and PCs will connect via wire in some form or fashion, then locate the wireless connection that is communicating with the Internet.

- If the Host PC will connect wired to the router, and PCs will connect via wire in some form or fashion, then locate the wired connect that is communicating with the Internet.

- If the Host PC will connect wired to the router, and the PCs will connect wireless to the Host PC, then locate the wireless connection that will communicate with the PCs.

Having found the connection you need, right click it and select "Properties". If in Windows Vista and prompted for a password, enter it to continue. Go to the "Sharing" tab (If there is no Sharing tab, than the Host PC you are using does NOT fit any of the scenarios listed above and can't share its connection. Or, you have selected the wrong connection). Select the check box "Allow other users to use..." or similar.

Note: If a PC is going to be directly connecting to your Host PC, you will require a 'Crossover' cable, not a regular Ethernet cable. If a PC(s) is going to be connected into a Hub, and the Hub into your Host PC, then regular Ethernet cables will suffice.

If your PCs are connecting to your Host PC wired, then there should be no additional setup. However if you can not achieve an Internet connection on your other PCs, it may be possible that your computers are not assigning IP addresses automatically to each other. This is not covered here, as anyone that had set up non-automatic IP assigning will know how to turn it off (Or view here).

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