Internet Connection Sharing (I.C.S.) is the name given by Microsoft to a feature in newer versions of its Windows operating system (as of Windows 98 Second Edition) for sharing a single Internet connection on one computer between other computers on the same local area network. It makes use of DHCP and Network address translation (NAT).

One connection, the 'shared' connection, is set to use I.C.S. in a property dialog, specified along with another connection that other computers use in order to make use of the shared connection.

ICS offers configuration for other standard services and some configuration of NAT. However, while I.C.S. makes use of D.H.C.P., there is no way to review D.H.C.P. leases using I.C.S.. The service is also not customizable in terms of which addresses are used for the internal subnet, and contains no provisions for bandwidth limiting or other features common to more advanced systems.

See also

* Network address translation
* Proxy Server
* Firewall

Category:Windows communication and services

by dean smith