how do I manually configure Windows Network Wizard settings

[Guest]

I've just set up a home network with one computer as an internet connection
server and one as a client. I used the Internet Connection Wizard on both
machines (one has XP pro and the other has XP home), but I'd like to access
all the settings that the wizards set up so that I can monitor/change them
when I need to. I understand that this might screw up my network but I'd
like to have this control. Specifically I'd like to get to the DHCP and
other LAN specifications that the wizard configured on its own.
Thanks

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I've just set up a home network with one computer as an internet connection
server and one as a client. I used the Internet Connection Wizard on both
machines (one has XP pro and the other has XP home), but I'd like to access
all the settings that the wizards set up so that I can monitor/change them
when I need to. I understand that this might screw up my network but I'd
like to have this control. Specifically I'd like to get to the DHCP and
other LAN specifications that the wizard configured on its own.
Thanks

You can make (and change) the same settings manually that the Wizard
makes.

Here's a list of the possible Wizard actions. The exact ones depend on
the answers that you give to the "Select a connection method" prompt:

Internet Connection Sharing host: Actions 1-9
(This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers
on my network connect to the Internet through this computer.)

Internet Connection Sharing or Broadband Router client: Actions 1-5,
10-11 (This computer connects to the Internet through another computer
on my network or through a residential gateway.)

Direct Internet connection: Actions 1-5, 10
(This computer connects to the Internet directly or through a network
hub. Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet
directly or through a hub.)

Actions:

1. Set the computer name, computer description, and workgroup name
that you specify.
2. Install these network components if they're not already present:
a. Client for Microsoft Networks
b. TCP/IP
c. File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
3. Share any printers connected to the computer.
4. Create the "Shared Documents" folder if it doesn't exist.
5. Share the "Shared Documents" folder.
6. Enable Internet Connection Sharing on the network connection
that you specify.
7. Enable the Internet Connection Firewall on the shared network
connection.
8. Create a Network Bridge if more than one local area network
connection exists.
9. Configure the local area network connection (or Network
Bridge) with IP address 192.168.0.1, subnet mask
255.255.255.0.
10. Configure the local area network connection to obtain an IP
address automatically.
11. Install software to allow the client to control the host's
Internet connection.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

I know what the wizard does, I'm asking how to find the settings. I geussed
that there would be some way to manually access these settings, I'm asking
where I do that. I want to change the IP range for DHCP and I want to see a
list of DHCP clients and their respective IPs. Where is this list and how
do I get to it? It would be nice if you were to tell me how to get to the
menus to change the 9 steps you had listed in your post as well.
Thanks again.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I know what the wizard does, I'm asking how to find the settings. I geussed
that there would be some way to manually access these settings, I'm asking
where I do that. I want to change the IP range for DHCP and I want to see a
list of DHCP clients and their respective IPs. Where is this list and how
do I get to it? It would be nice if you were to tell me how to get to the
menus to change the 9 steps you had listed in your post as well.
Thanks again.

I'm afraid that I only have bad news for you. :-(

Microsoft designed the Network Setup Wizard and ICS for use by people
who aren't knowledgeable about networking, and there are no
configuration options.

The Wizard always performs the same steps, based on the connection
option that you specify.

The DHCP server in ICS always uses the range 192.168.0.2 to
192.168.0.254. There's no way to change the range. There's no
documented way to get a list of DHCP clients and their IP addresses.
This file contains some such information, but I don't know if it's
always up to date:

C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\Hosts.ics

If you need more flexibility in the DHCP server, I recommend using a
broadband router instead of Internet Connection Sharing.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

That's not good. Can I do this in XP Pro? If I can't is there a version of
windows I can edit these settings in?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

That's not good. Can I do this in XP Pro? If I can't is there a version of
windows I can edit these settings in?

Please include the text of the previous message when you post a reply,
so that someone who only sees your latest message can understand it in
context.

The Network Setup Wizard and ICS are the same in XP Home and XP Pro.

No version of ICS provides a list of DHCP clients. ICS in Windows
98SE and Windows Me lets you change the DHCP scope. You can find out
how to do it by searching the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

I think that you'd be better off using a different Internet sharing
program or a hardware router.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Please include the text of the previous message when you post a reply,
so that someone who only sees your latest message can understand it in
context.

The Network Setup Wizard and ICS are the same in XP Home and XP Pro.

No version of ICS provides a list of DHCP clients. ICS in Windows
98SE and Windows Me lets you change the DHCP scope. You can find out
how to do it by searching the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

I think that you'd be better off using a different Internet sharing
program or a hardware router.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

If I can't make ICS be a DHCP server, is it possible for windows to do it
outside of ICS? I know the clients couldn't connect to the internet through
the DHCP server without some kind of routing software, but is it possible for
windows to just give out the IPs? Sorry about the incomplete replies.
You've been a lot of help, thanks!

 

[Malke]

If I can't make ICS be a DHCP server, is it possible for windows to do
it
outside of ICS? I know the clients couldn't connect to the internet
through the DHCP server without some kind of routing software, but is
it possible for
windows to just give out the IPs? Sorry about the incomplete replies.
You've been a lot of help, thanks!

You would need a true server operating system to do this, such as
Win2k3, and set the server to be the DHCP server. Of course, Win2k3
will cost you quite a bit more than buying a $40usd (approx.) router.

Malke