How-to share a broadband internet connection on more than one computer.
20th Apr 2010 | category: Wireless Networks | Hits: 420
Am assuming you have a broadband link that you want to use in your office or at home on more than one computer, right?
If so, you’re just in the right place for great tips on how you can have that internet connection shared among the computers you have.
First before we move on sharing internet connection, answer the questions below?
- How many computers are to use that broadband internet link?
- Do you have a network cable or patch code?
- If computers are more than one do you have a hub or switch around? Atleast one with eight ports (it can be any brand CNet or D-Link, or Cisco switch or Wireless router.).
- Confirm that your computer has network card, atleast one. But if your broadband connection is using the existing network card I suggest you purchase another network card so that you have two because we shall use that other one to connect the rest of computers onto internet.
Now before we jump onto steps on how we can have our internet shared among ourselves, we need to know a few terminologies in networking:-
Server or Internet Gateway: This is a computer that holds the main internet connection as provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider). In simple, lay man’s term is called Master Computer. It serves internet services to the rest of computers on the network.
Most times this computer has two types of networks, it has two network cards, and sometimes it has a Public IP Address (from ISP) and Private IP (Local IP Address).
Client or User Node: This is a computer at the receiving end or computers that receive internet from Server.
These pcs can only have internet if the Server is on. If it’s switched off then they can not access any of internet services.
Switch or Hub: This is a device that allows more than one computer to be able to communicate to each other. It provides ports where each computer including the server will connect then be able to speak to each other. Common types in our local markets are D-Link and CNet switches.
Network cable or a Patch code: This is a special wire or cable that is nicely terminated as per standards of networking to be able to link your computer onto the switch or hub or link your computer to another computer. Remember the two mentioned types of connection (pc to pc and pc to switch) are very possible as long as the cable is terminated as per standards of networking.
Ok since we have all answered the questions above, understood a few terminologies in networks and got the necessary devices we need, I suggest we begin configuring internet sharing.
Step 1
Understand how your broadband internet link connects onto your computer (Server). For example if your internet device is a USB like device like HUAWEI-HSDPA USB MODEM or its indoor or outdoor equipment that connects onto your computer with a network cable through your network card like (A motorola canopy or Breezenet, or Redline radio). For those with USB like device move step 2a and those with network cable move to step 2b.
Step 2 (a)
Connect that broadband USB internet device onto your pc and dial to internet. After establishing internet connection and your surfing or accessing internet well, please move to step 3.
NOTE: Make sure the default network card on your pc or laptop is not configured with any IP. It should be on default settings “obtain an IP Address dynamically”.
Step 2 (b)
With your internet cable running straight into your network card, I assume the necessary settings are configured and you’re accessing internet very well.
NOTE: since your default network card is used, I suggest you install a second network card. If you’re having a laptop, please visit any nearest shop and purchase a USB network card. And if you have a desktop, USB card or Normal PCI card can work well. Otherwise move to step 3.
Step 3
Click on the internet link device connection. Am talking about the card with internet connection. Click Properties -> Advanced -> then under internet connection sharing -> Tick that option “Allow other computers to connect through this computer’s internet connection”. After click OK to save the settings.
Step 4
On your other network card where users on the LAN will connect through should have the following settings “IP Address (192.168.0.1) Subnet Mask (255.255.255.0”).
NOTE: Those IP addresses are always assigned to the other network card by internet card. If you don’t get them then know your internet connection sharing has not been successful.
If you have got them, then go ahead assign the other users IP Address within the same range. For example user1 can have the following (IP Address: 192.168.0.2 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway: 192.168.0.1) and same procedure can be used on the rest of the computers on the network.
NOTE: Do not forget to configure DNS on each individual Machine to be on safer side.
Step 5
Get a network cable or patch code onto the user machine, configure it with IP Addresses as shown above. DNS must also be configured onto that user computer. After saving settings you should be in position to access internet even on that particular user computer.
Tests to confirm internet sharing is successfully:-
- Type any website into a web-browser on user computer to confirm if you can get that web page. You can test using www.bing.com or www.google.com or any fast downloading web page.
- - Open your command prompt:Start -> Run -> Type “cmd” then on that popup window type “ping www.google.com”. If the response is positive with successfully rate of sent packets is equal to received packets then you should be in position to surf well.
If all is working fine, do not forget to share with us your experience and incase you have any problem, just post it in forum or send email. Good luck