Internet Sharing Between PC and Laptop

In Home there may be a personal laptop and a desktop PC which is connected to the Internet, Everybody in home want to share the Internet with each other along with their respective documents. With an Ethernet crossover cable it is possible to share both computers as there is a built-in Ethernet port on each. However, there is only one Ethernet port on desktop or Laptop which is connected to the cable modem. Then how can we share the Internet among them? 

The Network layout below shows the possible cable connections that suits to your situation. Your laptop is connected to your desktop using an Ethernet crossover cable. Hence the only port of Ethernet on Desktop was occupied by a cross over cable of Laptop (#1, #2 connectors are used). Your desktop needs another Ethernet port to be connected to the cable modem. As the other Ethernet port (connector #3) is used for connection to a modem (via connector #4), you have to install the Ethernet adapter in your desktop. Presently some motherboards are capable of having inbuilt 2 Ethernet Ports, but what about the older ones that have a single? Here are the procedures or modifications have to be done in your Network for sharing internet among your PCs. The general connection of PC - Laptop with Internet sharing in a Home network is as shown below…

 
Rear view diagram: Ethernet direct connection
Desktop is connected to the Internet using a cable modem. 

Ethernet Adapters and Connectors: Here are different types of adapters and connectors which are used in a Network.


Procedure1. Buy an internal Ethernet adapter i.e. PCI card. Most desktop PCs are equipped with 3 PCI slots for additional hardware. Open your computer then you will see PCI slots inside, on the motherboard. Insert the PCI card into a vacant PCI port, and then you can have additional Ethernet port on your desktop computer (#3 in the diagram). Install the Ethernet adapter drivers normally given along with the hardware in a CD. This extra Ethernet port can now be used for connection a PC to the Modem (#4 connector). 


Procedure2. Buy an external Ethernet adapter (i.e. USB Ethernet adapter). This device has converter which convert a USB port to an Ethernet port. As present desktops have more than 3 vacant USB ports. Plug the USB Ethernet adapter to any of the USB port (#3connector). There is no need of opening your desktop casing, now you have an extra Ethernet port from the external adapter. Install the USB Ethernet adapter drivers and connect your crossover cable to the Modem (#4 connector).


Now you can find two Ethernet (LAN) ports i.e. internal and external on your network, when the cable was not plugged in.

Now connect the PC- Laptop with Ethernet crossover cable then you might observe the connected LANs…

When you connect PC to Laptop you will find the Home Network as shown below when you open Network and Sharing Center…

Where these home network is not connected to the Internet.


Now you have two LANs present in your Network one is connected to the Laptop (Home Network) and another is connected to the Modem (Internet). You will see all connected Networks glowing without any cross marks indicated. You have to observe that which Ethernet is connected to"Home Network Connection (All Users PC)" and the other to your "Broad band or Internet (USB)", so that you can select it from drop down menu. Make sure that you have checked the correct "Home Network" (Here All Users Pc is a Home Network) from drop down menu for "Internet Connection Sharing" and select the appropriate check boxes listed below for access permissions of your network. Be careful with the option "Establish a Dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the internet", when you don't want any of the computers in the Network connect automatically. Also take care about the control option for the network users.

The complete sharing of your Home Network to the Internet is as shown below…