The Unofficial Netspace Broadband FAQ -- Internet Connection Sharing FAQ

Internet Connection Sharing

Q. Does Netspace allow ADSL to be shared across a number of Computers?
A. Yes, Netspace do allow you to share your ADSL

Q. How do I share my ADSL?
A. There are a number of ways to share your ADSL, depending on the type of modem you have and other equipment you have at your disposal, here’s a brief guide.

Ethernet Modems
An Ethernet modem requires a network card installed either inside your computer, or a USB to Ethernet adapter connected externally. Ethernet modems are the most flexible for internet connection sharing as they work in all operating systems, and can be connect directly to other devices, such as routers, and hubs.

USB Modems
USB modems are windows compatible. The work with windows 98, Millennium edition, and windows 2000/XP. Some USB modems will work with Linux, but are difficult to setup. Please note USB setups do not use the PPPoE Protocol.

Routers/Gateways
There are a number of products available that can share the Netspace ADSL and also act as a modem. Basically, a gateway is a modem that can store your username and password, and can log onto the internet automatically. A router forwards all of your internet traffic, forming a pathway between your local network and the internet.
In this group, there are routers that connect to an Ethernet modem, and combination router/gateway in one box.
The best choice of hardware should be dictated by what you already have. For example, if you already have a LAN setup, then a single port router/gateway may be the best solution to plug into the network and provide internet connectivity for they existing network.
Software based routers will require two network cards if using an Ethernet modem, one connected to the modem, one to the local area network.

WIN9x
Windows 98 Second Edition / Windows Millennium Edition have built in Internet Connection Sharing. This was designed to work with a dial up connection. It will however work with Netspace ADSL. My recommendation is to install RasPPPoe software, available from http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~normanb/ The documentation makes it pretty easy to install, Once it is setup, you can run the ICS wizard and setup the sharing.

WINDOWS 2000
Again, windows 2000 has all the software built in that you need for internet connection sharing. However there is no PPPoE software built in, again, RasPPPoe will do the job nicely, once it is installed, you will have a standard windows dial up connection. To enable ICS, all you have to do is, Right click on the connection, go to the sharing tab, click on the check box, “enable internet connection sharing” and to make life easier, enable dial on demand.

Windows XP
Windows XP has PPPoE software built in, All you have to do, is run the Internet connection wizard, that is located in the control panel under Network Connections, Then network tasks. The sharing is enabled in the same manner as windows 2000.

Connecting a Ethernet Modem to a HUB
An Ethernet modem, can be connected directly the uplink port of a HUB, other computers can be connected directly to the hub, and make their connections, directly as though the modem was connected directly to their own network card. Each computer can use the same username and password, as Netspace allow unlimited simultaneous connections. The advantage of this system is that each system will have its own public IP address; this is great for gamers, and those people interested in file sharing. The disadvantage is that each computer will require its own firewall software.

Smoothwall/Ipcop
These are versions of Linux that have the sole purpose of connecting to the internet, and serving the role as gateway/router/and firewall. These systems are extremely secure, and not too difficult to setup. This software will run of very low end PC’s and is easy to manage, as all the main controls are setup though a web browser remotely.

Firewalls
Firewall software is very important, regardless how you setup you internet connection; many viruses are spread through random connections across the internet, like the famous Code Red virus. Firewalls also prevent hackers doing damage to your PC across the internet.

3rd Party Sharing Programs
You may choose to use 3rd party software to share your internet connection, some of the recommended software is:

WinRoute - www.kerio.com

Q. Does Netspace allow multiple logins to a live session?
A. Although we have not gotten direct information for Netspace, users have reported that they have had 3-5 users connected within the same live session.

Linux IP Masquerade How-to
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/IP-Masquerade-HOWTO/index.html

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