There are 3 main ways to share an internet connection

  • A linux router, usually with a masquerading firewall
  • If the server runs Windows-98 2nd edition, Windows ME or Windows 2000 then Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing may be used
  • A proxy server can be set up

    • A linux router is usually the best choice for a small business because the transfer is fast, and it provides basic firewall protection. It is also a good solution for the home. It has another advantage not usually mentioned -- if you wish to take the machine out of the loop (if this is a home computer and only the Windows client is using the computer and you wish to save electricity) then it is possible for the client computer to switch between a client and a direct connecton without a reboot.

    I do not recommend Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing for business use. It has no firewall protection and is somewhat difficult to set up for non-Windows clients. I have found that (at least if Windows 2000 is used on the server) that the data transfer to the clients is slower than with the linux masquerading machine -- unfortunately slow enough to cause browser time-outs on some sites. And if 98 is used, then there is increased risk of disconnecting the client if the server crashes and has to be rebooted.

    A proxy server probably provides the highest security, but requires that the server be always on -- otherwise the client software needs to be reconfigured if the server should be taken down in favor of a directr connection for any reason. It is best as a large-business solution.

    So what operating system do I use?

  • LINUX, if you use the linux router, of course.
  • Windows-98 2nd edition or Me is probably the best choice for Internet connection sharing
  • For a proxy server, Windows-NT4 is as a general rule, the minimum OS. You need stability that consumer Windows doesn't provide. If the proxy server runs on another platform, then that OS should be used.