XP Internet Connection Sharing with two networks

[rnott]

Hi,

I have a laptop (XP Pro) and a tablet PC (XP Tablet PC Edition 2005),
all patches up to date.

The Laptop is connected to the Internet wirelessly via a network A,
and the tablet is connected to a standalone second wireless network B.
Both computers can connect to A and B, and so I can share files
between the Laptop and the Tablet just fine, that is between networks
A and B.

However, I'm unable to find a way to bridge between A and B such that
the Tablet (being on network B) can access the Internet via network A
and the laptop.

I have experimented with
Start->Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections>...
and
Right Click on My Network Places -> Properties -> Advanced -> Allow
Other Network Users to connect Through ...
but to no avail.

Could someone out there point me to information about how to do
this?

Thanks for any help and advice,
Wolfgang

 

[Ace]

IMHO you would be much better off if you purchased yourself a nice (and
it doesn't even have to be expensive at all) router or wireless router
to connect both machines to the internet. This will enable both your
machines to access the 'net simultaneously, share files over the
network, and be firewalled by the router itself. Some routers also allow
you to connect a printer for further conveniance.

Why I tell you this is because ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) is not
only a hog, it forces you to keep one machine up to serve another, and
on the long term it will break, leaving you with nothing, and as you've
obviously discovered yourself; it has it's limitations. I've used it for
over 4 years and in all honesty I was much happier with my $30 router
i'll never recomment anything else. As a further suggestion, if your
current setup of two wireless access points' purpose was to separate
(create subnets) machines/networks, then you could go for a Linksys
WRT54GL wireless broadband router, as you can fit this machine with
firmware from the OpenWRT website which will allow you to create subnets
within the router. Howtos for this are also found on the
http://www.openwrt.org website.




(e-mail address removed) wrote in

 

[smlunatick]

Hi,

I have a laptop (XP Pro) and a tablet PC (XP Tablet PC Edition 2005),
all patches up to date.

The Laptop is connected to the Internet wirelessly via a network A,
and the tablet is connected to a standalone second wireless network B.
Both computers can connect to A and B, and so I can share files
between the Laptop and the Tablet just fine, that is between networks
A and B.

However, I'm unable to find a way to bridge between A and B such that
the Tablet (being on network B) can access the Internet via network A
and the laptop.

I have experimented with
Start->Settings->Control Panel->Network Connections>...
and
Right Click on My Network Places -> Properties -> Advanced -> Allow
Other Network Users to connect Through ...
but to no avail.

Could someone out there point me to information about how to do
this?

Thanks for any help and advice,
Wolfgang

If you only have two laptops (yes Tablet is a laptop also,) then why
do you have two networks? Are each connecting to different wireless
access points/routers or each connect to a separate "wireless"
internet "modem?"

The best solution if each is connecting to its own router/access point
is to elimate one and have both connect to "one" access point / router.

 

[rnott]

I know a Tablet is "sort of a laptop", but I'm making the distinction
to have different names for slightly different operating systems (XP
Pro vs. XP Tablet).

Here are some more details about the physical setup, needs and the
rational for what I'm trying to do:
The Laptop is connected to a wireless router in a different building,
thus getting its Internet connection. Because of the distance to that
building and obstacles in between, the quality of this wireless Laptop
connection ("network A") is poor, thus the bandwidth is low, even
marginal, but it's good enough to use as an Internet connectivity for
what I need to do.
To facilitate fast file transfer between Laptop and Tablet, I got a
second wireless network, this one in the room an high speed (network
"B"), and I would occasionally like to use the Tablet for Internet
access, too

I will not consider cables, only wireless connections.

Wolfgang.

 

[Ace]

Clarifying your setup helped.

Might I suggest you purchase yourself a WiFi signal booster to hang on a
wall in range of the access point from the other building; this will
re-amplify that signal to better qualities usable by both your portable
machines. The signal booster will eliminate your need for the second
wireless network.

Should you not wish to make this purchase you can also investigate if
your (unnamed) wireless accesspoint/router supports wireless
bridging/relay/roam - and that way act as a signal extender. See your
device's manuals for this.




(e-mail address removed) wrote in

 

[rnott]

Any recommendations for a WiFi Booster?

I investigated a bit an was recommended the
Linksys Wireless-G Range Expander, 802.11g, b
When reading the details, however, I found that this particular
expander is "compatible with the Linksys WAP54G, WRT54G, and WRT54GS
routers".

What if my original network that I want to expand (network A) isn't
one of those?

Thanks, W.

 

[Ace]

I understand your concern - these are my thoughts:
It's difficult to choose the right device because most, if not all
manufacturers put exactly that kind of information on their boxes.
To generalise, I would expect a device able to communicate on the 802.11
b/g specification to also be able to communicate with all other devices
that are able to use the 802.11 b/g standard; be it Linksys, US Robotics,
Belkin, 3Com, etc. just like your laptop/tablet are doing already.
The range booster from Linksys merely acts as a repeater; it will pick up
any signal and re-broadcast it.
How well this goes always depends on factors such as location,
interference, sometimes even firmware revisions.
Unfortunately I cannot give you a solid answer on those, as I cannot
assess your current location and situation concerning radio signals.
Linksys does not sell bad products - I use their equipment myself both at
home and at work, I find it sets up easily and quickly.

I have reviewed the Linksys site regarding the WRE54G Range Expander
and found the following:

"The Wireless-G Range Expander works with most Wi-Fi certified access
points and wireless routers. And it works in both Wireless-G and
Wireless-B modes so you'll get the benefits of increased coverage even
with a mixed network."

In short; it should work. If it does not, return the device, or
communicate with the owner of the wireless network to see if a same-name
brand repeater can be purchased.







(e-mail address removed) wrote in 22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com: