2.1 How do I share a Cable connection on
a Network?
There are three basic methods with various advantages and disadvantages.
1. Proxy Server. This involves setting up a PC to act
as a Gateway to the rest of the LAN using proxy software like
Wingate,
proxy plus,
AnalogX
proxy etc. There are dozens to choose from. See Practically
Networked for stacks of Free Proxy software. They range from
the small, simple and free AnalogX application to more advanced
ones with features like logging what everyone's been up to on
the net and various other rules and permissions.
2. Network Address Translation. Physically the same to
set up as above but different in how it works. Common NAT applications
include Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing (built into all
Windows Operating Systems since 98 SE), Sygate and Winroute.
3. Routers. A router is fairly inexpensive and the ultimate
pain-free solution for sharing a Broadband Internet connection.
The beauty of these things is, you plug the modem into one side
of it and your LAN into the other and it takes care of all the
logging in to the ISP, sharing the connection to a Local Area
Network and securing you from Hackers.
See
the hardware page to find out
more about Routers.
2.2 To share the connection on a LAN, do
I have to install a second network card?
I would strongly advise that you do.
There are various registry hacks around that will apparently work,
but in my experience, it's a waste of time and effort and is difficult,
if not impossible, to make secure. Sygate will work in this scenario,
but again, I'm not completely confident about the security level.
If you are unable to install a second Network card for whatever
reason, a router is a reasonably cheap and far better option.
Prices start from under $100.00.
See
the hardware page to find out
more about Routers.
2.3 What's the easiest and cheapest way
to share Cable on my PC Network?
Failing getting a router, AnalogX
Proxy is nice, small, simple and free and it comes with all
the installation instructions you should need, but there a couple
of traps. It opens a heap of ports, creating a security risk,
by default.
To work around this you'll need to take some precautions.
Right click the icon in the system tray and select "configure".
Switch off all ports except http.
Use only Hotmail in Outlook Express on the client PCs.
Note:
If you must use POP email on the clients, BlackIce
Defender is a necessity as it's the only firewall I have found
to give adequate protection in this scenario.
2.4 How do I set up Microsoft Internet Connection
Sharing with Cable?
See the guides for windows 98/me or
Windows 2000 or XP
2.5 How do I share Cable on a Macintosh
Network?
I believe the simplest and most cost effective solution to sharing
a cable connection on a Mac network
would be to install a hardware router like the Airport or one
of the many cheaper ones around.
See the router FAQ to find out more
about Routers.
There are also a variety of proxy-servers available from the
Internet that will allow you to share a connection. Sustainable
softworks has a few good products worth checking out.
Also check out opendoor
for some recommended firewall products. (Thanks Syd)
If you have a windows server
with Mac clients, configuration
details are here.
Check out MacBigPond
FAQ for more info about Macs with Broadband.
2.6 How do I share Cable on a Linux Network?
See Practically
Networked for stacks of Free Proxy software.
Checkout the BigPond
Broadband.Linux newsgroup to talk to other ADSL Linux users.
See also - Smoothwall
on BPC, Andrew
Murdoch - Gnatbox, BPA
login - Linux and Cable, Troy's
Linux Server Project
2.8 What settings should the client PCs
have?
See the guides for windows 98/me
or Windows 2000 or XP
2.9 How do I set up a router on Bigpond
Cable?
See the Heartbeat FAQ and
Jeff's FAQs
2.10 I plug the modem into a hub and try
to connect from different PCs, but it's doesn't work.
It doesn't work this way. What you need is a router.
