Can I share my Internet Connection on Windows with Two Adapters?

I'm sharing an Internet connection with four machines in my office through a Windows XP Pro server. I've installed a new Wi-Fi adapter to my WinXP system and I also want to share the Internet connection through this adapter too. Is it possible?

Dave's Answer:

This is a complex question, actually, because you need to "bridge" the two LANs -- the wired LAN and the WiFi LAN -- on the machine that is connected to both networks.

To bridge LANs, you need to open the Start -> Control Panels -> Network Connections window. Select both LANs (you're connected to both, so both should appear in the window) then right-click and choose "Bridge Connections" from the menu that appears.

If that doesn't work or you get an error message when trying to bridge the networks, it might be the case that the configuration of one or both LANs is messed up, since Windows can't bridge them. I don't know how you configured them in the first place but it might be time to delete and reconfigure the connections.

There's also a possible obstacle with the Internet Connection Services (ICS). If so, then disable ICS, create the new LANs, bridge them, then re-enable ICS.

Thanks to Windows guru Margy Levine Young for her help on this thorny question. If you want more background information on bridging networks in Windows, check out this Microsoft TechNet article.

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 3855, Written by Dave Taylor)
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Reader Comments To Date: 4

Piesang said, on August 19, 2007 10:56 AM:

Internet connection sharing doesn't work on a bridged network. I've struggled with this problem more then you can imagine. there isn't a solution that i have found with Windows XP. Try linux or windows server can work.

dinesh said, on April 30, 2009 12:06 PM:

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Jhourlad Estrella said, on June 14, 2009 6:52 AM:

You will have to install a new NIC and bridge the connection to do this. I already tried receiving and relaying the connection signal with a single wireless adapter but it didn't worked.

Mark said, on November 20, 2010 11:48 PM:

Hey Dave,

the homeowner has Comcast. hers is wired. w/a Belkin router for ours.
her son & I are connected via Linksys wireless cards.
the signal keeps dropping & we have to reboot the modem & router to get it back & this happens more than several times a day.
bought a 9db antenna, made no difference. of several neighbors only 2 are unsecured like ours. we think they are hijacking the wireless which disconnects our signal ( we think) not sure becsuse it disconnects so many times a day.
I want to get a signal extender or a linksys WRG54G wireless router to enhance my signal. is this a futile attempt ? ? nothing else works.
please help it's SOO frustrating.
you can email me if you'd like.

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Can I share my Internet Connection on Windows with Two Adapters?

Reader Comments To Date: 4

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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