XP SP2-- Is it possible to create a wireless network for other PCs to share internet like a Mac
Is it possible to create a wireless network from my XP Pro SP2 system so that other PCs can share it's internet connection?
I have a new Macbook Pro running alternately Mac OS 10.4.10 and XP Pro SP2.
New to Mac, a friend showed me how to create a wireless network in the Mac OS X so other PCs can share it's internet connection. You simply go to the Mac "Sys Prefs" (like Control Panel) and go to "Sharing" where you choose a connection (built-in ethernet or USB modem) and then set to "Share" over the AirPort wireless network. It's simple & solid.
Can we do the same in Win XP?
markP.S. Found this article that I think attempts to explain how to do it:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/serverbroadband.htm
However, I tried this procedure, enabled sharing on the Airport adapter and then alos the LAN adapter (alternately, because network control will only let you share one or the other). But after both, the other PC couldn't detect a new network, like it did when the Mac OS shares.
I also tried bridging the Airport and LAN; but that created a IP conflict with the other Win PC on the wireless network.
The article you linked describes things accurately. Internet Connection Sharing needs to be enabled on the Internet connection you want to share, which I believe is the ethernet adapter (I assume that is connected to the Internet via your cable/DSL modem). You need to follow the last part of the article (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/clientwiz.htm) to setup the other PC, configuring it to use the newly set up Internet Connection Sharing server (namely your MacBook).
You could always just buy a wireless router for about $50 and avoid the complications of operating your MacBook as a router (e.g. when your MacBook goes to sleep the other PC will lose its Internet connetivity).
Ah, I see. I needed to re-read how the Mac scenario worked to understand how you expected the Windows scenario to work.
Mac clicking "share this connection" appears to make the Mac act like a router *and* creates an ad hoc wireless network (or perhaps makes the MacBook function as a 802.11 base station, I can't be sure).
With Windows XPSP2 if you want to use an ad hoc wireless network to connect the two PCs then you will need to create this network before you go through the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) setup. Create the ad hoc wireless network, join the other PC to it and then select that wireless network as your "Home Networking Connection" when doing the ICS setup. Sorry it works this way. ICS was written in 1997 and the first 802.11 spec was ratified in 1999 so you can see why ICS wasn't designed with any knowledge of how to create a wireless network.
Please post again if you have any more problems,
Eliot
Yes, that's how it functions in Mac.I found this article on how to create an ad hoc wireless network in XP SP2: http://www.conniq.com/WinXPNetworking_wifi_direct_connection.htm
I followed the steps to "Add" wireless network. I started with dissabled data encryption and tried both "Open" and "Shared" for Authentication; checked box for "this is a computer to computer (ad hoc) network".
I hit a wall at the next step however-- the newly created wireless network is not detected as available on the second computer. I played around with a few settings on the Properties of the new wireless network: under the Association tab, tried checked and unchecked for "the key is provided for me automatically". Under the Connection tab, tried checked and unchecked on "Connect when this network is within range".
I also tried it with my separate wireless router turned off (first compter connected directly to my DSL modem). No luck-- the new ad hoc wireless network is not detected by the 2nd computer.
I checked the Properties of my wireless controller, and ICS is checked; also the Windows Firewall settings under the Advanced tab is set to off.
Stumped for now -mark
