Adding Laptop to 2 comp ICS

[Dave]

Not sure this makes sense, but ----

I have 2 comps on a crossover cable LAN, sharing a printer. Is there a way
I can connect the laptop (occasionally) so it simply connects to an already
on-line connection with the ISP?

Maybe the question is can you have a 3 machine ICS?

Dave

 

[Chuck]

Not sure this makes sense, but ----

I have 2 comps on a crossover cable LAN, sharing a printer. Is there a way
I can connect the laptop (occasionally) so it simply connects to an already
on-line connection with the ISP?

Maybe the question is can you have a 3 machine ICS?

Dave

Dave,

ICS is quite capable of sharing service with 2 or more clients. A crossover
cable is the most common network with ICS, it's not he only one. The more
clients you have, the more it makes sense to use a NAT router instead, though.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html

Just replace the crossover cable with a hub and a pair of patch cables.

 

[Chuck]

Not sure this makes sense, but ----

I have 2 comps on a crossover cable LAN, sharing a printer. Is there a way
I can connect the laptop (occasionally) so it simply connects to an already
on-line connection with the ISP?

Maybe the question is can you have a 3 machine ICS?

Dave

Dave,

ICS is quite capable of sharing service with 2 or more clients. A crossover
cable is the most common network with ICS, it's not he only one. The more
clients you have, the more it makes sense to use a NAT router instead, though.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html

Just replace the crossover cable with a hub and THREE patch cables. One cable
to each computer. DOHH.

 

[Dave]

Hi Chuck - and thanks for the reply. Glad you finally got up to 3 patch
cables

BUT- your impressive web page kinda shook me up. I guess the good news is
I have network cards on all 3 already. But all the other points about
firewalls, the fact I use a dialup, etc., seem to apply, however, the true
rational is a bit over my head. All 3 comps are running XP SP2, have
firewalls, and our ISP has a very aggressive anti-virus ($10/year) filter.
Does that still leave us open to more problems even if we go the hub/3 cable
approach?

Thx again

Dave

 

[Chuck]

Hi Chuck - and thanks for the reply. Glad you finally got up to 3 patch
cables

BUT- your impressive web page kinda shook me up. I guess the good news is
I have network cards on all 3 already. But all the other points about
firewalls, the fact I use a dialup, etc., seem to apply, however, the true
rational is a bit over my head. All 3 comps are running XP SP2, have
firewalls, and our ISP has a very aggressive anti-virus ($10/year) filter.
Does that still leave us open to more problems even if we go the hub/3 cable
approach?

Hi Dave,

Personal firewalls, and a $10 / year (what is that?) anti-virus filter are good
components in a layered defense, but with three (or more) computers, running
them all thru a NAT router is still a major convenience and security improvement
over ICS.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html

ICS was developed by Microsoft back when you could only get routers by mail
order, or in large cities. Now, if you can find Circuit City or Walmart, you
can buy one, for the price of maybe 2 or 3 months broadband service. Dialup is
a bit more expensive, but IMHO still worth it.

If you are willing to put up with the inconveniences of ICS, though, you can
make your main computer safe enough. Just please don't cut corners on safety.
This is a very real concern today - botted computers are very common (look in
your Inbox, you'll see traces of a few). Don't contribute to the bot
population.