Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is an integral feature of the Windows operating system, designed to allow a device with internet access to serve as a host or access point for other devices within a local area network (LAN). This functionality enables users to seamlessly share their internet connection with multiple computers connected to the same network.
Configuring Internet Connection Sharing
To enable or disable ICS, users can navigate through the “Control Panel.” The specific applet utilized for configuring ICS is found within “Network Connections” (ncpa.cpl). The steps to access the ICS configuration are straightforward:
- Open “Network Connections.”
- Right-click on the LAN or Wi-Fi device.
- Select “Properties.”
- Click on the “Sharing” tab.
- Toggle the checkbox for “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
For those who prefer command-line interfaces, ICS can also be configured using “PowerShell” or the “netsh.exe” command.
ICS not only facilitates internet sharing but also provides essential services such as DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and NAT (Network Address Translation) for computers on the LAN. It is capable of sharing various types of connections, including dial-up (PSTN, ISDN, ADSL), PPPoE, and VPN connections. Since the introduction of Windows XP, ICS has been integrated with UPnP (Universal Plug and Play), allowing for remote discovery and control.
The relevant settings for ICS are stored in the Windows registry, specifically located at “HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsNetwork Connections.” This centralized storage allows for efficient management of network configurations.
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