DSL sharing w/o router?

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-25-2005, 05:07 AM

I want to share a DSL connection with my partner. Our computers are currently networked through the simple network that Windows XP sets up for you and we share files and a printer quite nicely. All information I have seen on setting up to share DSL (or cable) seem to require a network to be set up using a router so that the modem functions can be 'routed' to each computer. Many push the wireless routers (WLAN? is that the same thing?) which seems to me to be more than I would need since our computers are within less than 2 feet of each other. My question is, is there a way of sharing this modem without a router? We would each need to be on line at the same time and still share files and the printer. My fears are, if I put a router into my current set up I will no longer have the simple network system that works ("never touch a running system") and I will have to install additional software and set that up to restore those functions.
Do I really need a router? Any thoughts on this?

**crazijoe** · 01-25-2005, 05:17 AM

You can do this with ICS (internet connection sharing). You will have to have 2 NICs in the computer that will be connected to the DSL modem (one for the DSL modem and on for the other computer.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;306126

However the easiest, best and safest way is to get a router. This will give you some protection with a NAT firewall and it is very easy to configure for a workgroup.

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-25-2005, 05:32 AM

Thanx, Crazyjoe, for the fast answer. Each computer had a NIC card installed and all is well with the network. Will adding a router create a need to re-establish printer and file sharing?
For some odd reason, routers here in Germany are expensive. The Linksys 41 is $45 in the states but here, 1. I cant find it and 2. the wireless is nearly 100 Euros. I was looking at a cheap way of doing this.
We each have firewalls installed on our computers. Does that not help?

dvasil · 01-25-2005, 05:36 AM

I too was wondering about connection sharing. I was thinking of getting a router, but I was wondering would both computers need an ethernet card installed in them? Or could one get away with only having an ethernet card installed on the one that is connected to the modem? Also, excuse my ignorance but what is a NIC

**crazijoe** · 01-25-2005, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeidelbergBarbi

Thanx, Crazyjoe, for the fast answer. Each computer had a NIC card installed and all is well with the network. Will adding a router create a need to re-establish printer and file sharing?
For some odd reason, routers here in Germany are expensive. The Linksys 41 is $45 in the states but here, 1. I cant find it and 2. the wireless is nearly 100 Euros. I was looking at a cheap way of doing this.
We each have firewalls installed on our computers. Does that not help?

This would depend on how you would set up the network. I have never used ICS. It was just easier to get a router and set up DHCP on the router. When ever I connect another computer to my network, and search the network I can always find the files and drives that are shared. I usually have to add the shared printer to the new computer but never had a problem with not being able to connect to network shares. Having a NAT firewall is just good added protection along with your software firewall. (as long as you are not using Windows firewall)
I do feel for you being overseas. My brother was stationed in germany and I used to send him stuff all the time. Mostly car parts. I normally have spare routers and wish I had one I could send to you.

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-25-2005, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvasil

Also, excuse my ignorance but what is a NIC

Network Interface Card.

One can also have an ethernet card, I believe.

**crazijoe** · 01-25-2005, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvasil

I too was wondering about connection sharing. I was thinking of getting a router, but I was wondering would both computers need an ethernet card installed in them? Or could one get away with only having an ethernet card installed on the one that is connected to the modem? Also, excuse my ignorance but what is a NIC

NIC is Network Interface Connection commonly refered to as a NIC card or network card.

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-25-2005, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazijoe

Having a NAT firewall is just good added protection along with your software firewall. (as long as you are not using Windows firewall)
I do feel for you being overseas. My brother was stationed in germany and I used to send him stuff all the time. Mostly car parts. I normally have spare routers and wish I had one I could send to you.

Ooops! I am using the installed firewall for Windows XP Home edition. Not good enough? I have never really had any problems. I have Adware SE and Spybot and check them frequently. Only 'data miners' show up and I delete them.

Thanks for the offer of a router. My dad sends "care" packages when I need something like books but the shipping can be high. Shipping FROM Germany is highER! But I do love the food here. And it is cheaper than in the states.

**crazijoe** · 01-25-2005, 06:11 AM

Windows firewall is a pain in the a**. I have never had any good luck with it. It seems to want to block some of the shares and interfere with some of my internet connectivity. I, presently use F-Secure and have used Zone-Alarm in the past. Anything but Windows firewall.

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-25-2005, 07:43 AM

ICS I would assume, allows the client computer access to the internet only if the host computer is on line too.

If I use a router, will each computer be able to access the Net individually? That is, without the host being on line?

**crazijoe** · 01-25-2005, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeidelbergBarbi

ICS I would assume, allows the client computer access to the internet only if the host computer is on line too.

The host computer does not need to be online but it does need to be powered up (running).

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeidelbergBarbi

If I use a router, will each computer be able to access the Net individually? That is, without the host being on line?

When you use a router all computers can access the intenet individually and you can add more computers to the router.(up to 253)

johnwill · 01-25-2005, 12:46 PM

IMO, you are totally NUTS to be choosing ICS over a broadband router!

When you install ICS, you'll be totally changing your network configuration anyway, why not have all the advantages of a broadband router? The cost is trivial, and the benefits are many!

HeidelbergBarbi · 01-26-2005, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

IMO, you are totally NUTS to be choosing ICS over a broadband router!

When you install ICS, you'll be totally changing your network configuration anyway, why not have all the advantages of a broadband router? The cost is trivial, and the benefits are many!

Yep! I AM almost totally nuts, after all, I am a computer NUT! Been working with them since 1980 and I freely admit I do not know anything about them! HA!
But I think I will go with the router.

Thanks !

johnwill · 01-26-2005, 03:46 PM

I think you're making the right choice.

**crazijoe** · 01-27-2005, 05:08 AM

I agree.

01-25-2005, 05:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
HeidelbergBarbi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 33 OS: Windows xp home ed/ windows 98	DSL sharing w/o router? I want to share a DSL connection with my partner. Our computers are currently networked through the simple network that Windows XP sets up for you and we share files and a printer quite nicely. All information I have seen on setting up to share DSL (or cable) seem to require a network to be set up using a router so that the modem functions can be 'routed' to each computer. Many push the wireless routers (WLAN? is that the same thing?) which seems to me to be more than I would need since our computers are within less than 2 feet of each other. My question is, is there a way of sharing this modem without a router? We would each need to be on line at the same time and still share files and the printer. My fears are, if I put a router into my current set up I will no longer have the simple network system that works ("never touch a running system") and I will have to install additional software and set that up to restore those functions. Do I really need a router? Any thoughts on this? __________________ "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasum." - Winston Churchill

01-25-2005, 05:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazijoe Moderator, Hardware Forums Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	You can do this with ICS (internet connection sharing). You will have to have 2 NICs in the computer that will be connected to the DSL modem (one for the DSL modem and on for the other computer. http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/ http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;306126 However the easiest, best and safest way is to get a router. This will give you some protection with a NAT firewall and it is very easy to configure for a workgroup. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

01-25-2005, 05:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
HeidelbergBarbi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 33 OS: Windows xp home ed/ windows 98	Thanx, Crazyjoe, for the fast answer. Each computer had a NIC card installed and all is well with the network. Will adding a router create a need to re-establish printer and file sharing? For some odd reason, routers here in Germany are expensive. The Linksys 41 is $45 in the states but here, 1. I cant find it and 2. the wireless is nearly 100 Euros. I was looking at a cheap way of doing this. We each have firewalls installed on our computers. Does that not help? __________________ "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasum." - Winston Churchill

01-25-2005, 06:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
crazijoe Moderator, Hardware Forums Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	Windows firewall is a pain in the a**. I have never had any good luck with it. It seems to want to block some of the shares and interfere with some of my internet connectivity. I, presently use F-Secure and have used Zone-Alarm in the past. Anything but Windows firewall. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

01-25-2005, 07:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
HeidelbergBarbi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 33 OS: Windows xp home ed/ windows 98	One last question ICS I would assume, allows the client computer access to the internet only if the host computer is on line too. If I use a router, will each computer be able to access the Net individually? That is, without the host being on line? __________________ "Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasum." - Winston Churchill

01-25-2005, 05:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
dvasil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4 OS: win98	I too was wondering about connection sharing. I was thinking of getting a router, but I was wondering would both computers need an ethernet card installed in them? Or could one get away with only having an ethernet card installed on the one that is connected to the modem? Also, excuse my ignorance but what is a NIC

01-25-2005, 12:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	IMO, you are totally NUTS to be choosing ICS over a broadband router! When you install ICS, you'll be totally changing your network configuration anyway, why not have all the advantages of a broadband router? The cost is trivial, and the benefits are many! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-26-2005, 03:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I think you're making the right choice. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-27-2005, 05:08 AM	#15 (permalink)
crazijoe Moderator, Hardware Forums Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	I agree. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software