If you have several computers connected to a local network, and only one of them has the Internet, it will be much more convenient to connect all computers of the local network to the Internet. To provide LAN access to the Internet, you need to use the main connected computer as a gateway. This is not difficult to do, and in this article you will see for yourself.
Instructions
Step 1
One way to connect a local network to the Internet is to connect directly to IP addresses. Ask your ISP for an additional fee to provide you with IP addresses for the required number of computers on the local network. Thus, your computers will be considered a single subnet.
The main router computer turns out to be connected to both the provider's general network and its local network. You need to configure the transmission of Internet packets from one network to another.
To keep the connection secure and to prevent unauthorized access to your local network, install a Firewall that will prevent access to internal subnet materials. In the Firewall settings, specify the type of packets that should not leave the subnet to the main network. You can also block access from outside to computers on your local network.
Step 2
An easier connection method is Network Address Translation, a system that allows multiple computers to connect to a network through a single shared IP address of the primary computer. This method, unlike the previous one, does not require the purchase of additional addresses.
Install the NAT server program on the gateway computer. It will automatically determine from which local computer the packet was sent, and the response packet is sent to the local computer at the remembered address.
Step 3
Finally, an even easier way to connect computers on a local network to the Internet is to connect through a proxy server.
You don't need to organize routing here. All you need is an intermediary - a proxy server on the main computer. You can choose the most suitable proxy server for yourself from a large number of those offered on the network. You can also use your ISP's proxy server.
