What is Internet Gateway in WXP Home Computer ?

[Patrick]

From Network Connections, in addition to "LAN or High-Speed Internet" that
is connected to a ADSL Modem + 4 Port Router, I find that there is an icon
named "Internet Gateway".

When I check the property, I find that the Activity shows a connection
between Internet -- Internet Gateway -- My Computer.

I would like to know what does this icon stands for ? Is it an illustration
of the current setup between Internet and my computer OR it means that my
computer has been set up so that other computer can make use of shared file
/ printer connected on this computer ?

Besides, I have attempted to press the "Disconnect" button but there is no
response.

Your advice is sought

Thanks
I

 

[Roy Smith]

From Network Connections, in addition to "LAN or High-Speed Internet" that
is connected to a ADSL Modem + 4 Port Router, I find that there is an icon
named "Internet Gateway".

When I check the property, I find that the Activity shows a connection
between Internet -- Internet Gateway -- My Computer.

I would like to know what does this icon stands for ? Is it an
illustration of the current setup between Internet and my computer OR it
means that my computer has been set up so that other computer can make use
of shared file / printer connected on this computer ?

The Internet Gateway icon you're seeing is actually the router. In a sense
the router is acting like a computer with Internet Connection Sharing turned
on to share a Internet connection between several computers. Though this
may not be technically correct, it is just the basic concept of what a
router is.

 

[VanguardLH]

From Network Connections, in addition to "LAN or High-Speed Internet" that
is connected to a ADSL Modem + 4 Port Router, I find that there is an icon
named "Internet Gateway".

When I check the property, I find that the Activity shows a connection
between Internet -- Internet Gateway -- My Computer.

I would like to know what does this icon stands for ? Is it an illustration
of the current setup between Internet and my computer OR it means that my
computer has been set up so that other computer can make use of shared file
/ printer connected on this computer ?

Besides, I have attempted to press the "Disconnect" button but there is no
response.

Your advice is sought

Thanks
I

Windows XP SP1a added the optional Internet Gateway Device Discovery and
Control Client (IGDD&CC). The Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP)
Discovery service listens on port 1900 for NOTIFY directives that
advertise the availability of UPnP-capable devices on the network. The
IGDD&CC component starts the SSDP Discovery service to detect Internet
gateway devices, like routers, ICS (Internet Connection Sharing)
computers, and most wireless devices.

See Microsoft's KB article at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821371 and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/821980. If you look in the Network
Connections applet in Control Panel, you will see a connectoid called
"Internet Connection" of type Internet Gateway. This is the IGDD&CC
component. If it exists and you disable it, you will lose Internet
connectivity since you have disable the gateway to the Internet. If you
don't need the functionality provided by IGDD&CC, you can uninstall it.
In the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel, select to view the
Add/Remove Windows Components applet. In the components list, select
Networking Services and click the Details button. Deselect the IGDD&CC
component. After the system changes from the configuration change, you
will need to reboot the computer.

If you need to keep the functionality of the IGDD&CC component, you only
need it within your own intranet. Be sure to block port 1900 in your
router to reduce risks of Internet attacks on port 1900; see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315000 (although this might've been
fixed in a later service pack). You don't need to discover UPnP devices
beyond your router.

 

[Patrick]

Hi,

Many thanks for your advice.

I have already uninstalled the IGDD&CC and the Internet Connection icon has
gone. I am able to get internet connection to both machines that is
connected to the modem (with 4 Ethernet Port).

I think the reason why IGDD&CC is installed is because I would like to
connect the XP machine to a printer that is connected on a Vista machine.

I would like to seek your advice
1) Can we add a printer to that XP home machine without installing IGDD&CC ?
2) From your comment, my understanding is that when IGDD&CC is installed,
the XP machine becomes an ICS client so that it can access internet via
another machine that is connected to the web. Is my understanding correct ?
3) You have mentioned port 1900 in the router. Does the router means the
ADSL Modem with 4 Ethernet ?

Regards,
Patrick