Multiple computers must be able to share an account or an IP address to access the Internet. First, connect the computer you want to access the Internet through a hub to form a LAN: each computer in the LAN installs a network card, adds a configuration TCP/IP protocol, assigns a fixed IP address, and then takes out a computer with better performance in the LAN as a server. Then the server must add a second network card, sets its IP to the IP provided by the ISP. It should be noted that in the IP configuration of the client computer, the gateway must be set as the IP address of the first network card of the server, and the DSN is set as the DNS IP provided by the ISP; the browser must never perform dial-up connections, and connects through the LAN.
1. Third-party software access
Currently, there are two main types of third-party software used by users in small LANs to share the Internet: Proxy Server and Gate Way. The proxy server software is simple to install and set up, is more convenient to use, and users can access the Internet faster; while the gateway software is generally large and itself plays the role of a gateway (protocol converter). The speed of users' Internet access is also affected by it. The installation is relatively cumbersome and has few applications. However, the gateway software can play the role of a network firewall, which is also incomparable to the proxy server software with a single function.
Depending on the software requirements, some software only needs to be installed on the server side, and some need to be installed on both the server side and the client computer. The corresponding settings can be made according to the Internet connection function requirements.
Commonly used third-party software such as WinGate and SyGate are very rich in functions, especially the firewall function can separate internal information from external information. Through the filtering of the firewall, it can protect the computer data inside the local area network. Therefore, it is more suitable for local area network sharing with large traffic volume and high requirements for internal network data security.
2. Use the connection sharing provided by the Windows operating system
In Windows98 SE, Windows Me, and Windows 2000, the Internet connection sharing function is integrated. Set the server-side Internet connection to a proxy service (Internet connection sharing) according to the system prompts. When the client wants to access the Internet, it first makes a request to the proxy server, and redirects it through the proxy server to send the request; and external data also needs to be redirected by the proxy server to obtain the required information.
The Internet connection sharing function is relatively single, and does not have the function of protecting the internal network, posing a great threat to the security of the network. It is only suitable for users with small network scale and low security requirements.
3. Use the network address translation function (NAT) of Windows 2000 Server
The router can convert data packets between the LAN and the Internet, and can effectively protect the computers in the LAN. The network address conversion of Windows 2000 Server realizes the software routing function. On the server where Windows 2000 Server is installed, install and set up the routing and remote access functions, and complete the settings according to the system prompts.
If the DHCP function of the Windows 2000 Server server is activated, the IP of the computer in the LAN can be dynamically set to automatically acquire, thereby reducing the burden of network management and maintenance. Therefore, network address translation is more suitable for use on Windows 2000 Server/Advance Server LAN with more complex configurations.
4. Share directly through the hardware router
Connect the WAN end of the router to the Internet and the LAN end to the LAN. Due to the different access methods provided by the ISP, the WAN end of the router must be set differently.