| If you have multiple computers at your home or | | | | you to connect several computers on to a single |
| office that you want to connect to a single | | | | broadband line. ICS is easy to set up and requires a |
| broadband connection, there are two basic ways to | | | | bare minimum of hardware, however there are |
| do it: | | | | certain downsides to them and it should only be used |
| - Sharing an internet connection via a hardware | | | | as last resort. There are two basic ways of setting |
| router | | | | up ICS depending on number of computers you are |
| - Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) | | | | connecting to your broadband, in both cases you will |
| Sharing connections via hardware router | | | | require an Ethernet card on each of the computers. |
| Using a router is the best and most common way to | | | | If you are looking to connect only two computers |
| share a broadband connection. Router is a device | | | | you can do that by simply connecting them through |
| that works as modem and a hub at the same time. | | | | a LAN cable and Ethernet cards. Once you have |
| Broadband connection is plugged directly into the | | | | completed the necessary hardware connections, run |
| router and the router then distributes the connection | | | | the set up wizard for ICS in order to set up your |
| to the computers connected to it. Furthermore the | | | | connection sharing. |
| router will set up a local area network in your home | | | | For connecting more than two computers to a single |
| or office. All computers that are connected to the | | | | broadband connection you will require a hub or a |
| router are a part of this LAN also. Routers can have | | | | switch. You will connect all the computers together |
| wireless option allowing you wireless access to your | | | | through the hub, including the main computer who |
| broadband and LAN, which is definitely a great | | | | has direct connection to broadband Internet. |
| advantage that allows you to work from any place in | | | | Downside of this entire concept is that you will have |
| your home or office. The prices of routers have | | | | to keep Gateway computer (the one with direct |
| gone down over the past few years and they cost | | | | internet access) always turned on in order for all |
| less than 70 EUR now. | | | | others to have internet access through it. |
| To set up your LAN and Broadband you first have to | | | | Furthermore running additional process on Gateway |
| connect one of your computers to your router using | | | | computer might cause performance issues. Besides |
| a cable, after a short installation you will be able to | | | | certain applications are known to have problems |
| use your broadband on any computers that are | | | | working though ICS and others simply don't support |
| connected to your router by cable or wireless. Even | | | | it, which can disable you from using them. |
| though it might seem complicated, configuring a | | | | To summarize, ICS should be used only as last resort |
| router is actually a simple task. | | | | when you don't have any other options at your |
| Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing or ICS | | | | disposal. Connection sharing through a router is much |
| ICS has been implemented in widows 98, 2000, ME | | | | more comfortable and faster, even though it costs |
| and XP operating systems. This standard will allow | | | | more it is well worth it. |