Help Yourself Centre How to Set Up Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) in Windows 7

Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is a utility included with the Windows operating system since the release of Windows 98. The software lets you use one computer on your home network (or even a small office network) as a proxy server. It is beneficial for people who have no router such as dialup or DSL users who have the device directly connected to one computer. ICS lets you install a hub, connect multiple computers to the hub, and use the DSL or dialup connection with other computers on the network.

What is a Proxy Server?
Internet Connection Sharing is a type of proxy server, except it does not have the security and logging features that a more advanced, expensive application contains. A proxy server is typically located on a larger network. It lets network administrators control website access and log website use. It helps the administrator control bandwidth usage and identify if the company needs more bandwidth installed for the network.

Internet Connection Sharing acts as a smaller, less expensive version of this software. Although dialup modems are less common, some people who don’t have access to broadband can benefit from ICS. If you have multiple computers on the network, and your only access is a dialup modem, other computers on your network can use the modem connection. If the modem is not connected, the ICS proxy server automatically dials as soon as a user attempts to connect to the Internet.

How to Configure and Set Up Internet Connection Sharing
ICS settings are in the Windows Control Panel. Use the following steps to set up your Windows 7 proxy server:

• Click the Windows “Start” Orb. Click “Control Panel.” Click the “Network and Internet” link and then click “Network and Sharing Center.” On the left side of the window, click “Manage Network Connections.” This window shows you the network cards configured on the computer, including a dial-up modem.

• Right-click the connection you use to connect to the Internet. For instance, if you have a DSL modem connected to your computer, right click it and select “Properties.” This also works for a dial-up modem for people with slower connections.

• Click the “Sharing” tab. In this window, click “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.” Click “OK.”

• A warning window opens, telling you that the computer’s IP address is changed to “192.168.0.1.” This is a required configuration for the ICS application. You are also prompted to reboot the computer. This is all it takes to set up ICS on the proxy server. However, you must also reboot your other network computers. After you reboot the client computers, the network settings are finished.

• ICS is a convenient and necessary tool for people who do not have a router installed on a home network. It’s also the most convenient way to network your computers with no router installed. Use the ICS service to share the Internet connection between your home computers.