[joejoefo]

Aight, so I'm havin a massive problem. I have a desktop running XP Pro and it has 2 ethernet cards in it. And I have a laptop running Vista Ultimate and it's got a built in wireless card and ethernet card. The XP machine has a direct connection with internet into one of the cards and the internet works fine. Now I want to some how share the internet from the XP machine, through the other ethernet card, with my laptop.

I give you props if you know how to do this.

Thanks

[TerryNet]

If your internet access is through a router bridge the two ethernet connections (in Network Connections). Else enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on the connection with the internet access.

[joejoefo]

UMMMM YOU'RE THE ****!
For some reason it wouldn't work for me earlier, but now it's up and running. One last question, if I put more ethernet cards in the desktop could I essentially create a router?

[TerryNet]

... if I put more ethernet cards in the desktop could I essentially create a router?

Sure! After all a router is a small special purpose computer, often with an included ethernet switch and wireless access point, that can be bought for $30 - $200 (less when on sale or when a rebate is available). No reason at all that you can't get or develop the right software and hardware and use a $1,000 - $3,000 general purpose computer as a router.

EDIT: Actually, if you enable ICS the computer is already acting as a very simple router and Dhcp server. You just have far fewer options and settings than you do with even a cheap brand name router.

[JohnWill]

Since buying a couple of Ethernet cards would cost more than buying an inexpensive router, or simply an Ethernet switch to split the ICS connection, that's not a very good way to go.