Modern Windows operating systems, apart from some modifications like Home and Starter, initially have quite a few simple and at the same time unique tools in their arsenal that allow you to extremely quickly configure access to the Internet via a local network, and it doesn’t matter if you use a cable or wireless connection . In this case, it is understood that distribution will be carried out not from one or several central routers, which, of course, looks much more preferable, but from one terminal connected to the Internet. In a sense, it will act as the distributing and managing server. You can organize such distribution within a couple of minutes, however, you will need to configure the Internet on the local network both on the computer, which will act as a kind of donor (parent terminal), and on all other machines connected to the same network (wired or wireless).
Advantages and basic conditions for the distribution of the Internet on a local network
To begin with, distracting from the main topic, let's pay a little attention to what advantages an organization or office receives using this type of Internet connection. It goes without saying that the matter is not limited to working with shared files and folders. This, so to speak, is the most primitive. But working with various cloud or web services and applications looks very promising. Who would not want to be able, for example, to simultaneously edit one document located on a remote server using the same Office 365 web package?
After all, the instant introduction of corrections and corrections by several users having parallel access to the edited file speaks for itself. In addition, when organizing such distribution, the need to purchase additional network equipment disappears completely.
Despite such seemingly obvious advantages, you can find cons. The main problem is that only one computer will be connected to the Internet directly or through a router, and if the connection to it fails, all other machines will also be turned off. However, you can not pay particular attention to this, since a similar situation can also be observed if two computers in the local network or more are connected through one provider. As already clear, if problems are observed on his part, not a single terminal on the network will work in terms of Internet access. Another thing is that problems can arise precisely on the parent distributing computer. Therefore, it will be necessary to protect it from any unreasonable internal or external interference (including countering viruses) and carefully monitor its performance.
Distribution options
Now let's see how to connect the Internet over a local network, based on purely technical considerations. Firstly, different types of cable connections can be used (serial connection of terminals, networking according to the “star” scheme, etc.). Serial connection is not recommended, because problems on one of the intermediate computers can cause a connection failure on those connected after it. In this sense, the “star” scheme looks preferable, but when creating this type of connection, you will additionally have to install special splitters, since there are simply not enough ports and connectors for connecting other machines on the distribution terminal, which at the same time will act as the central server.
Secondly, you can use a wireless network. But this option is more interesting and simple in terms of the fact that the need for cabling will disappear by itself, not to mention the installation of other additional equipment.
How to distribute the Internet on a local network: initial steps on the parent terminal
But this was all theoretical information. It's time to move on to practice. So, first of all, we will consider the actions performed for the case of combining computers on a local network through a cable. First, we need to configure the terminal from which we plan to distribute. In the "Run" console, enter the command ncpa.cpl, after which a window with available network connections will appear. There will be at least two: a local area network connection and an Internet connection. You need to choose the one that is designed to access the World Wide Web.
Then, through the PCM menu, go to the properties item of the selected connection and on the “Access” tab, select two permission items (using an Internet connection and managing a shared connection). After that, when saving the set options, the system will issue a warning that a new IP address will be assigned for the network adapter, and communication with other terminals will be lost. Nothing wrong. Just accept the offer by pressing the confirmation button.
Configuring Internet access over a local network on child computers
Half of the case can be considered done. How to distribute the Internet on a local network is a little clear. Now let's see how to “accept” the distribution. Similar settings as described above must be made on the daughter machines. To do this, you need to run a similar command in the "Run" console, and go to the network tab on the properties of the selected connection, and then call up the IPv4 protocol settings.
Here you need to remember the IP address assigned to the network adapter of the donor computer. For each car, it will change in the direction of increase in the last digit or number. As the main gateway and preferred DNS server, you should specify only the IP of the computer on the local network, which acts as the distributing terminal.
Note: in some cases, in order not to deal with manually setting the necessary settings with static addresses, you can check the points for their automatic receipt. But it is for a wired connection that it is still better to use the first option.
Connectivity Errors: Starting Required Services
Despite the fact that everything seems to work without problems, sometimes you can meet some problems. This primarily relates to stopped services that are responsible for the Internet connection.
On all machines without exception, you must enter the appropriate section (services.msc) and check the status of these components.
Most often, you need to find a point to share an Internet connection, double-click to open editing parameters, start the service if it is stopped and set the start type to automatic.
Troubleshooting donor terminal detection
Just in case, on the distributing terminal, you need to call the network and sharing section from the "Control Panel", and then go to additional parameters.
Here you will see several profiles in which you need to activate the options for enabling network discovery and automatic configuration of equipment, sharing directories and printers, and also enable items with password protection disabled.
If the connection is not due to the fault of the provider, and at the same time messages are issued regarding the DNS settings, you can try changing their addresses to free combinations from Google, consisting of eights and fours.
Simple Wi-Fi Distribution Technique (WLAN)
Now we will figure out how to distribute the Internet on a local network when using a wireless connection. And the first thing you need to create an access point. You can immediately be advised to perform such an operation through the command console by writing the line shown in the image below.
In it, NETNAME corresponds to the name of the network that you arbitrarily enter, and key corresponds to the password you created, which will be used to access the network from other computers.
WAP activation
Now you need the created network to work. Actually, for this, the access point created at the last stage should be activated.
To do this, simply run the command from the image above, after which the corresponding confirmation will appear in the command console.
What to pay special attention to?
As for the installation of the necessary parameters on the daughter machines, it is better not to use the creation and use of static addresses for wireless connection. In this situation, in the IPv4 protocol settings for all items you need to set the option to automatically obtain addresses.
What to do if the connection is not activated?
If for some reason the access point does not work (a notification will appear), it may need to be restarted. First you need to execute the command to deactivate it, replacing the “allow” statement in the previous line with “disallow”, and then vice versa (of course, without quotes) to re-enable it.
If it’s also impossible to distribute the Internet after that, go to the “Device Manager” (devmgmt.msc) and check the status of the virtual adapter. If it is turned off, through the PCM menu, select the item to enable it, and then re-run the two commands that were used to create and activate the access point described above. In theory, after that, everything will work as expected.
What type of distribution do you prefer?
How to distribute the Internet on a local network, figured out. Of course, one could still cite the option of creating a home group or even through a hot spot (Windows 10), but the command line technique looks much simpler. In addition, for distribution, you can use a VPN or proxy server, but here the user can not do without special knowledge. As for the preferred type of distribution, first of all, the choice will depend on exactly what type and topology the created local network has. But in the case of using wireless access, the benefits are much greater. Despite only one of the above methods, it is possible to combine, for example, distribution from both the router and the computer, which will be executed in parallel. And this will allow you to connect more terminals on the same network and do without additional devices that will increase the number of simultaneously connected terminals, including, by the way, mobile devices. In general, local area networks using cable connection have recently become less and less popular, although when setting static addresses they provide better communication quality.