How Many Computers Can I run using internet connection sharing in Windows XP Pro

[subh]

Hello,

I have a network of 5 computers. All these 5 computers
connect to Internet using different IP addresses using a
DSL modem. But few days back our ISP decided to provide
us a single Global IP, for the DSL modem and we need to
run a proxy or any connection sharing software in our LAN
to share Internet access. So I am using my Windows XP
machine to share Internet Access with other four machines.

I want to know what is the maximum number of machine I
can connect to this Win XP machine to Share Internet
access?

Thanks in Advance...

 

[Jone Doe]

Hello,

I have a network of 5 computers. All these 5 computers
connect to Internet using different IP addresses using a
DSL modem. But few days back our ISP decided to provide
us a single Global IP, for the DSL modem and we need to
run a proxy or any connection sharing software in our LAN
to share Internet access. So I am using my Windows XP
machine to share Internet Access with other four machines.

I want to know what is the maximum number of machine I
can connect to this Win XP machine to Share Internet
access?

Thanks in Advance...

XP Pro 10, XP Home 5 (I think)

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a network of 5 computers. All these 5 computers
connect to Internet using different IP addresses using a
DSL modem. But few days back our ISP decided to provide
us a single Global IP, for the DSL modem and we need to
run a proxy or any connection sharing software in our LAN
to share Internet access. So I am using my Windows XP
machine to share Internet Access with other four machines.

I want to know what is the maximum number of machine I
can connect to this Win XP machine to Share Internet
access?

Thanks in Advance...

Go out, purchase a Cable/DSL router (wireless or wired only) and use it.
They make 4-8 port versions that are fairly cheap and will do what you need
and provide you with a better level of protection than you will likely get
setting it up yourself.

Time saving, inexpensive, easy setup, secure and expandable - I would just
go that route if I were you.

For your question - I would assume that it is limited by number of
connections - but am not positive. If it is - 5 concurrent connections for
XP Home, 10 concurrent connections for XP Pro. The Cable/DSL routers
usually are capable of handing out between 127-254 IP addresses (but this
would require the purchase of more switches unless you are using wireless
access, as I don't recall any consumer grade switches with that many ports
included.)

 

[TDM]

Hello,

I have a network of 5 computers. All these 5 computers
connect to Internet using different IP addresses using a
DSL modem. But few days back our ISP decided to provide
us a single Global IP, for the DSL modem and we need to
run a proxy or any connection sharing software in our LAN
to share Internet access. So I am using my Windows XP
machine to share Internet Access with other four machines.

I want to know what is the maximum number of machine I
can connect to this Win XP machine to Share Internet
access?

Thanks in Advance...

I say dont waste your time with ICS, get a cheap NAT router
instead, they are designed to do exactly what you wish and
support up to 253 systems. Linksys, SMC, D-Link, just
to name a few vendors. And, NAT gives you a great
firewall as well.

TDM