3 ethernet cards , 2 computers , 1 internet conection

Why I hate windows to the gut?!

Here's a simple problem. 2 computers, 3 Ethernet cards 2 ethernet cables, 1 modem => 1 ISP connection. Objective share Internet connection between two computers. Should be a simple task.

If you're looking for a solution and out of patience just press ctrl+f and type in solution: lol

Now windows was suppose to be your friend. You say: hey I would love to set up a network. This computer connects to the Internet, or this computer connects to a network that somewhere has a computer that connects to the Internet. This would be logical, I send a packet outside of my network and it should find it's way to the gateway (the gate that guards the entrance to my little world) and there it should ask who ever knows and send it to where it's meant to go.

Problems:

I shall call primary to the computer that directly connects to the Internet and secondary to the computer we want to connect to primary so it can also access the internet. It's a wired network! At the very beginning it's like having to separate pipes. One pipe goes from primary to secondary, the other pipe goes from primary to the ISP. So without some trick it's like trying to flush my toilet in some chink bathroom in the other end of the world. There is no connection! The packets can reach the gateway, but they can't get out of it because no one inside the intranet knows where to look for the address. The card from intranet does not know where the card to the Internet is. Thought our friend windows should know!

I hate windows to the gut because windows help files never tell you anything, it's like trying to learn nutrition from a recipe book. Nothing against it when it works but it makes me real mad when it doesn't, it gives me that feeling that you get when you're a little kid trying to open that new toy you got in Xmas with your nails. Someone get the kid a screwdriver!

Well the missing part of the puzzle is bridge! As the name foresees it's something that “connects” the two cards together so they can act as a single connection.

Solution:
I found this at: http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vista/579886-ics-vista-host-xp-client-4.html
posted by: vasudevan84 , I also added some comments because the post sometimes seemed confusing or I really should be sleeping by now or something ;P

okie people..
Hi Guys Try this...

First RUN services.msc on your Vista Machine.
Start Two services.
1. Internet Connection Sharing
//I had trouble here... Vista was telling me It could not enable it 'cause it was not being used
// if so come back to enable it once you've created the bridge
2. Windows Firewall.

now go to Control Panel\Network and Sharing Center\Manage Connection(Left Side Options)

u should see Two connection(i'll rename then to HOME for Local Network and INTERNET for obviously Internet Access) and probably a Bridged Network(if u made one)
1. Now Configure INTERNET(with the IP addresses (TCP/IPv4)For your Internet Access)
//It was only a while ago that I learn how to edit this so... assuming you may be in trouble too
//go to INTERNET properties and then double click on TCP/IPv4 to edit
//most ISPs will want you to get you're IP over dhcp so if in doubt set it to be automatic
2. Set HOME to Auto Config (TCP/IPv4)
3. Select the two Connection now and Right Click\Bridge Connections.
4. Open the Network Bridge options\ UNCHECK the connection INTERNET from there.
5.Make sure the (TCP/IPv4) settings in the NETWORK BRIDGE are set to Auto Config...
6.Now go back to the INTERNET\Sharing TAB\Check option Allow Other Network users to connect through this computers Internet Connection and optionally the second one.

Thats all folks we are done.
PS. Make sure the Connection on XP machine is set to Auto Config again.

This give you File sharing and Inter Connection on Both Vista and XP machine now. BUT the catch is your IP address on XP machine would be dynamic...

Okie the Point is ENABLE the two services on the VISTA machine, bridge the two connection but uncheck the Internet Connetion from the bridge and then share it.

//of course the secondary can be running any Operating System providing dhcp, if on Slackware run
//myName@host: dhclient eth0

Enjoy surfing using your brain and saving 30 euros on a hub.
Nhaaa “Buy a hub!!! buy a hub!!! It so much easier... nha nha nha.“ Ohhh god save them from their stupidity!

Well have been Grumpy lately. ;P