"Help on networking settings" Topic

I have some simple questions which I hope some of the members can help me with. I think these are questions which crop up pretty frequently so hopefully someone has the answers!

This is all under Windows XP (although probably the answers work for other operating systems)

I have a network of three machines. One machine (a desktop) is hooked up to broadband. That machine has two LAN connections; one of the mother board and one LAN card. One of those LANs connects to the internet box.

The other machines on the local network are laptops.

I want to know how to connect the laptsops to the internet via the desktop.

to avoid unwanted attention I have 'blah'ed out some IP details since they aren't needed.

For the internet box connection the LAN settings are
IP address 122.blah.blah.blah
IP mash 255.255.255.192
Default gateway 122.blah.blah.1 (this I'm guessing is the internet box)

preferred DNS is 122.blah.blah.2
alternative DNS 4.blah.blah.blah

The other LAN connection is to my local network which all machines connect to via an Ethernet hub. The LAN connection details for the desktop on the ethernet connection to the local network are

IP address 192.168.0.1
IP mash 255.255.255.0
Default gateway <nothing>

preferred DNS is <nothing>
alternative DNS <nothing>

The laptops are 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3.

QUESTIONS

1) what do I set the detault gateway to on the laptops to get them to connect to the internet via the desk top?
2) what do I set for the laptops DNS and alternative DNS?
3) Do I need to run anything on the desktop (like CC proxy) to allow packets from the laptops to be routed to the internet?
4) Is there any software that allows me to hide the ethernet frames of the laptops to the outside world (internet) so it appears only one machine is accessing the internet (I think it is better to deny information to the outside world as far as possible)

Anything else I should think about? Should I disable the firewall from the desktop to the laptops?

Obviously I'll need a good firewall.

Cheers

Neil

You can try XP's internet Connection Sharing. The caveat is that I have never really had good luck using it.

support.microsoft.com/kb/306126

I ran a software proxy server for five years at home.

You would be better off get a router with a firewall (like the Linksys BEFX41). It would connect to broadband modem and the rest of the network would connect to it.

You still need an anti-virus for all the computers.

Regards, the Gorb

I second the Gorb, but suggest you get a wireless router modem. The laptops should have wifi cards. Make sure you update all to at least XP SP2 with security patches, and encrypt the wifi.

The problem with a PC acting as a gateway is that you have to keep it on all the time -- I have lost count of the times I have instinctivly shut mine down without meaning to!

Oh, and to answer question 4, if you get a wireless modem you will get a firewall and address translation that hides all of the computers (PNAT)

Oh, and to answer question 4, if you get a wireless modem you will get a firewall and address translation that hides all of the computers (PNAT)

As long as it is set up correctly. A friend went through my neighbor with a wireless network sniffer and discovered that 2/3 of the home networks were set up with zero to useless security.

Regards, the Gorb

Hi

Thanks for your responses. Sorry for the delay in replying; my internet was down. Doh!

I'd forgotten about connection sharing. Thanks.

BTW, my ISP (who has only a few dozen clients – all companies) has a firewall which blocks some dodgy traffic. I still run Avira anti virus and an anti Malware s/w every now and again to sweep my machine.

I'd like to get a wireless router. Unfortunately the local shops have a monopoly and charge the earth. A simple wireless router is 70 pounds.

There is no one close enough to my building to 'sniff' my traffic. Also, in Bangladesh people wouldn't know how to do this. Anyway, when I eventually go wireless I will do it securely.

BTW, the network is now working. Once my internet came back up (the fibre optic cable had been snapped somewhere) I was in business. I just had to set the 'default gateway' on my laptops to be the desktop PC that connects to the internet. My internet connection sharing was already switched on.

Cheers

Neil

I'd say mailorder on the wireless router then. When G came out B ones could be had for $10. USD You can get B/G ones on the cheap from eBay what with folks switching to N.

Thanks blackscribe. Computer equipment comes duty free to Bangladesh, so that is a good option for me.

Cheers

Neil