Small network question!!

[scruffy]

3 computers.
1 connected to internet via broadband running on Windows2000 professional. Part of a workgroup.
1 on Windows XP same workgroup.
1 on Windows NT (it has to run NT because there's a Hard disk recorder plumbed into it that can only use NT). Again same workgroup.
Each computer recognises the others via explorer and files can be transferred etc.
How do I access the internet from any computer?
I've had the XP box access MS Outlook, but not IE, and vice versa, but it's not working any more...

[206xsi]

Not sure you can with that setup, all workstations...

You're gonna need some sort of Server OS to enable web access sharing - or software that you'll pay for.

[^Slider^]

You could hard code the ip address's of all the machines and set the gateways to point to the one with internet connection sharing running.

[docevi1]

buy yourself a router and connect all the PC's via that. They can then access the internet by themselves without the need to run the buggy and dangerous to use ICS (internet connection sharing).

What sort of BB do you have, ADSL (BT) or Blueyonder/Telewest?

[fatsteve]

docevi1 said:

buy yourself a router and connect all the PC's via that. They can then access the internet by themselves without the need to run the buggy and dangerous to use ICS (internet connection sharing). What sort of BB do you have, ADSL (BT) or Blueyonder/Telewest?

Agreed, you have a tight budget? if not < £100 will get you an all in one box solution (dsl modem / router /switch) plus a built in firewall to boot.

Steve


>> Edited by fatsteve on Friday 5th September 17:10

[^Slider^]

I have used mixed Os's on this kind of setup before, so that shouldent be a problem.

[malman]

I assume the 2000 box has a USB/PCI DSL connection
1) swap to a broadband router using private IP/NAT dslsource.co.uk has a special on the original speedtouch 510 for £45
2) use the ICS system on 2000 (not very good but works and is free)

[scruffy]

Aargh, can only see the first three posts - maybe this one will free the log jam...

[fatsteve]

scruffy said:

Aargh, can only see the first three posts - maybe this one will free the log jam...

Sorry guys, probably me sticking a less than sign in (stoopid pecker - should know better)

[scruffy]

I'm back... (a 'refresh' did it..)

BT Openworld. Via Intel Anypoint DSL, USB'd to 2000 machine, everything hung off a 5-port 10/100M switch...

Like the IP/Gateway idea...

Not adverse to spending a couple of quid shortly though..

..I said a couple!!

[^Slider^]

the ip/gateway ip is free and does work (i myself have used this to set up small offices that hate spending) Worth a go first as its free, if you dont like it then the router is the next step! If ya need any help then feel free to email me off profile.

Gareth

[docevi1]

get yourself a Netgear ethernet modem from dslsource.co.uk for about £60 then, it'll plug into your existing switch and allow everyone to connect to the internet. Buying a £100 router may be more than you need.

I have just got the SpeedTouch 510v4 and am quite pleased with it, although I have been told that there is a new firmware and hardware version been released shortly (in October the guy said). The new firmware will work on older modems (i.e. v4's) but won't have any of the advanced hardware related features of the new

[ErnestM]

Use ICS/NAT on the Win2K box. It's built in and will handle the broadband connection for the other boxes. You just have to set up the other boxes as DHCP enabled. ICS will parcel out private IP's to the other boxes. Total cost=1 network card. I've set up my father-in-law's insurance practice for this sort of thing. He has 3 Win98 boxes, 1 Win95 box (cheap git) and the Win2k Pro acting as a quasi "server" all sharing. Since Win2k is actually a "workstation" you can, additionally, use any workstation compatible firewall package...

If this isn't clear - email me of list and I'll try to be more specific...

ErnestM

[smeagol]

You can get a router now with all security for about £65. I'm looking into this at the moment and IMHO its the easiest method of doing it and increases your security.

[arcturus]

Maybe I'm missing something here but wouldn't one of the easiest and possibly cheapest solutions be to install some proxy server software on the internet facing box.

AnalogX proxy is free (Go to www.analogx.com then look under the networks section for Proxy) it is less than 500kb to download and works reasonably well. I used it on my own 4 machine network for a year with very few problems.

Because I needed some extra functionality I have now changed to CCProxy by Youngzsoft (www.youngzsoft.net). You get a 30 day, 3 user trial for free after which you pay £46 for the software. CCProxy handles email better than AnalogX and is easier to set up.

For those that are not in the know, one of the jobs of proxy software is to connect multiple machines on a network to the internet through a single gateway machine. ie its like Internet Connection Sharing in Windows but the third party companies somehow make a much better job of it than M$.

Dave