Network etc...

[Ichi]

Right, here's the situation; A friend of mine recomended to my dad (who is pretty old) that he get a computer to do stuff with. Everyone thinks it's a good idea except my dad will only agreee to it if we can share the same line for internet connections. My immediate thoughts were a router. But when I looked all the routers seem to be for broadband. At the moment I can't that, we live in the country. We have 56k.

So, how shall I set it up? I've looked around, there's something called interenet connection sharing? With that do I just set a network up and then run the XP wizard? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Rich]

That should work, although that machine will have to be on and connected (dialed-in) for the other machine to get access to the internet connection.

[Rich]

Unfortunately, The only way I know of to do what you want is use a demand dial proxy server. I am uncertain whether or not XP can accomplish this task, but my first guess would be no. This type of functionality was found in such microsoft products as Proxy server 2.0 and also their ISA server line, both of which run on servers themselves. Don't think that is the solution you are looking for... :cry:

[m[X]]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/networking/ics.asp

[Ichi]

OK, thanks. I'll try using the ICS. Er, Rich, what's a demand dial proxy server? Why can't I just use ICS? If I have to set up my desktop as a proxy server with Linux or whatever OS I need it's gonna be kinda annoying, the only machine I could use as a server has a 867 mhz processor.

[Rich]

If you are using a dialup, then for the other machine to work, it will need the primary machine to be connected. Therefor, the primary machine (ie. gateway) will need to be either connected all the time or connect when it recieves a request for a web page, thus the demand dial proxy. I am uncertain as to if the ICS will automatically dial the 56k connection when the other machine requests access to the web.

[Ichi]

Aah I see what you mean. What OS do you know of which supports this?

[Rich]

Non that I can think of except windows servers which can use their built in routing functionality, but that is an expensive proposition. There may be some freeware running around out there, but non are coming to mind.

[Ichi]

OK, thanks. I'll look around. He's decided on a Dell Dimension 2400 (eek!), we should get it in a few days. Thanks for your advice everyone.

[Kurtis]

OK, thanks. I'll look around. He's decided on a Dell Dimension 2400 (eek!), we should get it in a few days. Thanks for your advice everyone.

i hope he doesn't expect tons from it :D

[Blinkin]

Just make him a better computer but put it all in the Dell Case.

[caniswolfie]

Just make him a better computer but put it all in the Dell Case.

And then have to support it when anything goes wrong.. ;)

[Ichi]

OK, thanks. I'll look around. He's decided on a Dell Dimension 2400 (eek!), we should get it in a few days. Thanks for your advice everyone.

i hope he doesn't expect tons from it :D

He's a first time user. He doesn't want much out of it, he's just using it for email and typing.

I might secretly gut the case in the night. Stick some p4 stuff innit and then argue I get to use it cos I set up the network. :D