Microsoft® Windows® XP Networking and Security Inside Out: Also Covers Windows 2000

Sharing an Internet Connection Through Software

You don't have to invest in a dedicated router or residential gateway to share a single Internet connection and simultaneously protect your network. Using Internet Connection Sharing, you can turn a single computer with an active Internet connection into the functional equivalent of a router. The connected computer acts as the ICS host and shares its Internet connection. All other computers on the network route their Internet traffic through the ICS host computer.

ICS is most effective with high-speed (cable or DSL) connections, although it works acceptably with dial-up Internet connections. To share a broadband connection, the ICS host computer must have separate network adapters for the Internet ...