ICS dialing without request from client

[Jim Ziogas]

I recently set up a wireless network using a 4-port switch
designed to share a broadband connection. I don't (yet)
actually have broadband, but I was able to get File and
Print Sharing enabled, and ICS works great.

I've got a problem, though, in that every time the laptop
is booted and I log in, the desktop with the dial-up
connection installed automatically dials into my ISP even
though I haven't requested an internet resource from the
laptop. The connection stays open until I manually
disconnect the desktop's connection. If the laptop is
still logged in to the home network, the ISP connection
will redial almost instantaneously. I have to physically
turn off the laptop to get the desktop to stop
redialling. Auto disconnect on idle doesn't work either,
by the way.

I've checked to see if there's something being loaded on
startup on the laptop that would check the internet for
updates, but I don't think so. Everything is pretty
straightforward.

Here's the setup:

Desktop:
Running Win2k
ISP connection set to auto dial as needed
Hard-wired into the switch (ie no wireless)
Set to static IP address of 192.168.0.1
I am running ZoneAlarm Basic, but I've got the home
network IP's in the trusted zone.

Switch:
Set to static IP of 192.168.0.2
DHCP turned off
No broadband connection present

Laptop:
Running XP Home
Automatic IP assignment (usually defaults to 192.168.0.17)
Running ZoneAlarm Basic, but again, the home network is
set in the trusted zone

Also have basic software installed on both machines such
as Norton Utilities. Before anyone asks, I do have
the "automatically check for updates" turned off for
Windows Update and all other software I can think of
including Norton and Zone Alarm.

Again, the desktop will not automatically dial the ISP if
the laptop is not turned on. It will sit there just fine
all day with no problems. But as soon as I log into the
laptop, the modem connects.

Any suggestions? Are there any processes or services that
run on XP that could be a culprit? I've done the searches
on Google, but I've never been able to find any resolution
even though quite a few people have reported similar
problems.

Thank you!!

 

[Roland Hall]

in message : I recently set up a wireless network using a 4-port switch
: designed to share a broadband connection. I don't (yet)
: actually have broadband, but I was able to get File and
: Print Sharing enabled, and ICS works great.
:
: I've got a problem, though, in that every time the laptop
: is booted and I log in, the desktop with the dial-up
: connection installed automatically dials into my ISP even
: though I haven't requested an internet resource from the
: laptop.

<!--SNiP-->

Something is trying to get out. You're going to have to find out what's
running on the laptop. I'd offer running a packet sniffer but it's not a
general purpose utility with a friendly interface.

--
Roland Hall
/* This information is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose. */
Online Support for IT Professionals -
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/technet/default.asp?fr=0&sd=tech
How-to: Windows 2000 DNS:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308201

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----

Something is trying to get out. You're going to have to find out what's
running on the laptop. I'd offer running a packet sniffer but it's not a
general purpose utility with a friendly interface.

--

Thanks, I appreciate any help I can get. I've often
wanted to try my hand at a packet sniffer. Any
suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Larry Stotler]

Hello,

You can go to http://www.Ethereal.com to download thier sniffer. It is
very good for analysing network traffic.

However, your issue is the system dialing the ISP so the issue happens
before the Ethereal would see anything.

Go to Start, control panel, network connections:
Highlight Dial up connection.
Go to Advanced, Dial-up preferences

Dial-up Preferences
Autodial tab:
Place a check mark in Always ask me before autodialing.
Clicked ok and restart.


Larry Stotler, MCSE
Microsoft Product Support

NOTE: Please reply to the newsgroup and not directly to me. This allows
others to add to and benefit from these threads and also helps to ensure a
more timely response. Thank you!

This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty either expressed or
implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose

 

[Roland Hall]

: You can go to http://www.Ethereal.com to download thier sniffer. It is
: very good for analysing network traffic.
:
: However, your issue is the system dialing the ISP so the issue happens
: before the Ethereal would see anything.
:
: Go to Start, control panel, network connections:
: Highlight Dial up connection.
: Go to Advanced, Dial-up preferences
:
: Dial-up Preferences
: Autodial tab:
: Place a check mark in Always ask me before autodialing.
: Clicked ok and restart.

Hi Larry...

I'm confused why you think the sniffer will not see traffic since the
computer that appears to have the issue is not the system with the modem.
Were you thinking the sniffer wouldn't catch traffic if it was the system
dialing?

The sniffer will catch traffic going out over the wire since it doesn't know
or care how it gets there so it doesn't know it is not a permanent
connection. The dialup gets activated because the system running ICS dials
on demand. If the sniffer is running on the laptop, all traffic going out
would be captured, of course, depending on your filter.

I'm not familiar with Ethereal but packet sniffers generally work pretty
much the same, except for the interface. I use SST's TracePlus/Ethernet
quite a bit. http://www.sstinc.com/ethernet.html

Another avenue might be to run Sysinternals: FileMon and RegMon although
they would be more difficult, IMHO.

Your thoughts...

--
Roland Hall
/* This information is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability
or fitness for a particular purpose. */
Online Support for IT Professionals -
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/technet/default.asp?fr=0&sd=tech
How-to: Windows 2000 DNS:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308201

 

[Jim Ziogas]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. A couple of things,
though.

First, if I follow your suggestion to click the box to
only allow the dial-up when I approve it, won't that mean
I would have to be in front of the desktop every time I
want the laptop to dial out? I might as well turn off the
ICS auto dial feature if that's the case.

Second, last night I tried hot-plugging the wireless
adapter into the laptop well after it had booted (probably
20 minutes after booting). The second the wireless
adapter registered, the desktop dialed out.

To me, this still suggests that there is a configuration
issue somewhere which makes the XP laptop cause the Win2k
desktop to dial upon connect. It's not a software-thing
where some program is trying to get to the net.

Would having the XP box set to automatically get an IP
address cause this? I tried to manually set it, but then
I couldn't access the internet at all through the Win2k
box. I set the IP address of the laptop to 192.168.0.17
(well out of range of the router or desktop). I then used
a gateway of 192.168.0.1 and a mask of 255.255.255.0 It
forced me to enter a DNS server as well, so I entered
192.168.0.1. No go.

Thanks for all of the help.