2 Networks sharing 1 connection through 'net connection sharing

[PyobliE]

Hey guys.
My network at home is set up as shown in the diagram... I am not great with networking, so Im sorry if i have made any school boy errors... Dont point and laugh too much....

Basically the server has three network connections in it, 2 internal NIC's and one external USB 802.11b jobbie. As i hope is obvious by the diagram, Laptop connects wirelessly and the cable modem and xbox are connected by the NIC's.

I have ICS enabled so that the laptop can surf the 'tinternet. When enabling ICS I am prompted to choose between either the wireless network, or the xbox network, I cannot select both. This means that I cannot have both my lappy and my xbox online at once, meaning I have to change it everytime. Is there any way to allow me to share the net connex accross both networks without buying hardware? Cheers!

//Edit: who moved the attach image button?? Diagram took me hours...

[PyobliE]

Server OS is XP Pro...

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[versello]

Hey guys.
My network at home is set up as shown in the diagram... I am not great with networking, so Im sorry if i have made any school boy errors... Dont point and laugh too much....

Basically the server has three network connections in it, 2 internal NIC's and one external USB 802.11b jobbie. As i hope is obvious by the diagram, Laptop connects wirelessly and the cable modem and xbox are connected by the NIC's.

I have ICS enabled so that the laptop can surf the 'tinternet. When enabling ICS I am prompted to choose between either the wireless network, or the xbox network, I cannot select both. This means that I cannot have both my lappy and my xbox online at once, meaning I have to change it everytime. Is there any way to allow me to share the net connex accross both networks without buying hardware? Cheers!

//Edit: who moved the attach image button?? Diagram took me hours...

Your options are:

1) Install Windows Server edition
2) Buy a hub/switch (hubs are extremely cheap...you could prolly pick something up for as little as $20)
3) Download better routing software.

[kryyst]

As versello hinted at...hub. If you have highspeed internet get a router and simplify your life drastically

Modem connects to router, Router connects to Server, Laptop and Xbox.

No configurations no ICS nothing everything just gets an IP address from the router and is up and running. Plus instant firewall and a whole lot of other options. Want to add a printer throw a net aware printer or a print server on the network and that's it everything can use it no need to set up printer sharing. Friend comes over just plug him into your network no configuration.

If you make it a wireless router then man oh man everything gets even easier.

[PyobliE]

Had a feeling you guys would jump down the hardware route. Thats simply not an option, final year Uni student, within touching distance of a degree and a job, but cant reach it yet. I have No money!, selling Xbox games to pay my rent at the mo!

Where do I find this 'better routing software'? I am currently using the default winXP stuff to do the hjob for me, is there something that will do what I am after?

Cheers.

[kryyst]

No money eh? Well that sucks.

Ok set up a bridged network between all the network connections on your server that should bring them all together so thaty they can share the resources at the same time and not independantly.

So in your network properties you should have three network devices. Create a bridge for them all together that should do the trick.

[PyobliE]

Cheers kryyst mate! Sorted it out for me, all working a treat, fantastic. Loving using all three on the net at once. Online halo on Xbox with web browsin when I die on the laptop.. all while downloading on server... Life is good. Thanks again. :D

[kryyst]

Hey glad to help. Though soon as you get some cash you should go the router method it works so much better.