Setting up a LAN and Sharing a DSL Internet Connection: A Brief Description

SETTING UP A LAN AND SHARING
A DSL INTERNET CONNECTION:
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Nipawin - Saturday, July 14, 2001 - By: James deSantis

Objective
- To set-up a Local Area Network (LAN) consisting of 2 or more PCs and to share a single DSL Internet connection with all networked computers

Materials Used to Network Three PCs

3 Windows 95/98 based PCs
4 Ethernet Cards
1 DSL Connection
1 Ethernet Hub that supports three or more connections
4 lengths of ‘Category 5’ Ethernet Cable
Proxy+ software by Fortech (http://www.proxyplus.cz)

Schematic Diagram of LAN & Internet Sharing

In order to set-up both a LAN and share the DSL Internet connection, the host computer must have two Ethernet cards (Network Adapters) installed. One Network Adapter is dedicated for the DSL Internet connection and the other Network Adapter is dedicated for the LAN via the hub. Computers 2 and 3 are connected to the hub and are apart of the LAN.

Configuring the Host Computer

After successfully installing both Network Adapters into the host computer we must now configure the appropriate TCP/IP protocols for each. The network properties should look like the following:

Configuration Tab
In this case, the TCP/IP->D-Link DFE-538TX 10/100 Adapter is the protocol by which the host computer can connect and communicate with the Internet. The TCP/IP->Realtek TRL8029(AS) PCO Ethernet NIC is the protocol by which the host computer can connect and communicate with other computers on the network via the hub (i.e. LAN). Therefore, the D-Link card is physically connected to the DSL modem and the Realtek card is physically connected to the hub.

TCP/IP settings for the Network Adapter that is connected to the Internet (in this case, the D-Link card), should be provided by your DSL Internet Service Provider. Do not change these settings.

TCP/IP settings for the Network Adapter that is connected to the hub (in this case, the Realtek card) can be as follows:

DNS Configuration — Same setting as the Network Adapter which is connected to the Internet.
Gateway - Same setting as the Network Adapter which is connected to the Internet.
WINS Configuration — Disabled.
IP Address — Specify an IP Address of 192.168.0.1 with Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0

Identification Tab
Enter a name for the computer. E.g. ZeroCool
Enter a workgroup name. E.g. MyLAN
Enter a computer description if you wish.
Note: All computers connected to the LAN should have the same workgroup name.

CONFIGURING THE CLIENT COMPUTERS

After successfully installing a Network Adapters into a client computer we must now configure the appropriate TCP/IP protocol for it. The network properties should look like the following:

Configuration Tab for Client A Computer
In this case, the TCP/IP->AEF-360TX Family PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter is the protocol by which this client computer can connect and communicate with other computers on the network via the hub (i.e. LAN). The AEF-360TX card is physically connected to the hub.

TCP/IP settings for the AEF-360TX Adapter that is connected to the hub can be as follows:

DNS Configuration — Enable DNS with

Host: host
Domain: Your ISP’s domain e.g. sk.sympatico.ca
DNS Server Search Order: Add=> 192.168.0.1
Domain Suffix Search Order: Your ISP’s domain e.g. sympatico.ca

Gateway

Add=>192.168.0.1

WINS Configuration — Disabled.
IP Address — Specify an IP Address of 192.168.0.2 with Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0

Note: If you were to add another client computer to the network, the settings would be the same except for the IP Address, which would change to 192.168.0.3. All computers should still use a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0

Identification Tab
Enter a name for the computer e.g. Mitnick
Enter a workgroup name e.g. MyLAN
Enter a computer description e.g. Client A
Note: All computers connected to the LAN should have the same workgroup name.

Installation of a Proxy

So far we have set-up a LAN whereby all computers can connect and communicate with each other in order to share resources such as files and printers. Currently, only the host computer can connect to the Internet and therefore, we must complete the task of sharing the Internet connection for all computers on the LAN.

In order to share the Internet connection from the host computer, we need to install and run proxy software on the host computer. I suggest downloading and installing Proxy+ from Fortech (http://www.proxyplus.cz) for these reasons:

It is freeware for up to two concurrent users.
It is easy to manage and run.
Based on personal experience with other proxy software, it is by far the most stable.

In addition, for more detailed information regarding networks and internet sharing, I highly suggest visiting the website http://www.practicallynetworked.com.


SETTING UP A LAN AND SHARING A DSL INTERNET CONNECTION: A BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Nipawin - Saturday, July 14, 2001 - By: James deSantis

Objective -	To set-up a Local Area Network (LAN) consisting of 2 or more PCs and to share a single DSL Internet connection with all networked computers

Materials Used to Network Three PCs
	3 Windows 95/98 based PCs 4 Ethernet Cards 1 DSL Connection 1 Ethernet Hub that supports three or more connections 4 lengths of ‘Category 5’ Ethernet Cable Proxy+ software by Fortech (http://www.proxyplus.cz)

Schematic Diagram of LAN & Internet Sharing

	In order to set-up both a LAN and share the DSL Internet connection, the host computer must have two Ethernet cards (Network Adapters) installed. One Network Adapter is dedicated for the DSL Internet connection and the other Network Adapter is dedicated for the LAN via the hub. Computers 2 and 3 are connected to the hub and are apart of the LAN.

Configuring the Host Computer
	After successfully installing both Network Adapters into the host computer we must now configure the appropriate TCP/IP protocols for each. The network properties should look like the following:

	Configuration Tab In this case, the TCP/IP->D-Link DFE-538TX 10/100 Adapter is the protocol by which the host computer can connect and communicate with the Internet. The TCP/IP->Realtek TRL8029(AS) PCO Ethernet NIC is the protocol by which the host computer can connect and communicate with other computers on the network via the hub (i.e. LAN). Therefore, the D-Link card is physically connected to the DSL modem and the Realtek card is physically connected to the hub. TCP/IP settings for the Network Adapter that is connected to the Internet (in this case, the D-Link card), should be provided by your DSL Internet Service Provider. Do not change these settings. TCP/IP settings for the Network Adapter that is connected to the hub (in this case, the Realtek card) can be as follows: DNS Configuration — Same setting as the Network Adapter which is connected to the Internet. Gateway - Same setting as the Network Adapter which is connected to the Internet. WINS Configuration — Disabled. IP Address — Specify an IP Address of 192.168.0.1 with Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0

	Identification Tab Enter a name for the computer. E.g. ZeroCool Enter a workgroup name. E.g. MyLAN Enter a computer description if you wish. Note: All computers connected to the LAN should have the same workgroup name.

CONFIGURING THE CLIENT COMPUTERS
	After successfully installing a Network Adapters into a client computer we must now configure the appropriate TCP/IP protocol for it. The network properties should look like the following: Configuration Tab for Client A Computer In this case, the TCP/IP->AEF-360TX Family PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter is the protocol by which this client computer can connect and communicate with other computers on the network via the hub (i.e. LAN). The AEF-360TX card is physically connected to the hub. TCP/IP settings for the AEF-360TX Adapter that is connected to the hub can be as follows: DNS Configuration — Enable DNS with Host: host Domain: Your ISP’s domain e.g. sk.sympatico.ca DNS Server Search Order: Add=> 192.168.0.1 Domain Suffix Search Order: Your ISP’s domain e.g. sympatico.ca Gateway Add=>192.168.0.1 WINS Configuration — Disabled. IP Address — Specify an IP Address of 192.168.0.2 with Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0
	Note: If you were to add another client computer to the network, the settings would be the same except for the IP Address, which would change to 192.168.0.3. All computers should still use a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0

	Identification Tab Enter a name for the computer e.g. Mitnick Enter a workgroup name e.g. MyLAN Enter a computer description e.g. Client A Note: All computers connected to the LAN should have the same workgroup name.

Installation of a Proxy
	So far we have set-up a LAN whereby all computers can connect and communicate with each other in order to share resources such as files and printers. Currently, only the host computer can connect to the Internet and therefore, we must complete the task of sharing the Internet connection for all computers on the LAN.

	In order to share the Internet connection from the host computer, we need to install and run proxy software on the host computer. I suggest downloading and installing Proxy+ from Fortech (http://www.proxyplus.cz) for these reasons: It is freeware for up to two concurrent users. It is easy to manage and run. Based on personal experience with other proxy software, it is by far the most stable.

	In addition, for more detailed information regarding networks and internet sharing, I highly suggest visiting the website http://www.practicallynetworked.com.