SOCKServ and Windows ICS

What is ICS?

Starting with Windows 98SE Microsoft includes internet connection sharing (ICS). ICS allows one computer connected to the internet serve as a gateway for other computers connected via a lan. For more information see http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ics/ics.htm

What does this have to do with SOCKServ?

Many users of SOCKServ use it to share their internet connections (at least that what people email me about!). However, SOCKServ was never designed to primarily be a connection sharing tool. It is a proxy server. ICS does not replace SOCKServ. Instead they complement each other nicely.

What does SOCKServ do that ICS doesn't?

SOCKServ is a SOCKS proxy server. ICS does not include a SOCKS server.
SOCKServ has full connection logging and a status window.
SOCKServ has bandwidth limiting/control

What does ICS do that SOCKServ doesn't?

ICS acts as a gateway by doing Network Address Translation.
ICS has a DNS gateway.
ICS has a limited DHCP server.

What should you do if you want to share an internet connection?

If you don't want or need any of the additional capabilities of SOCKServ just use ICS. If you do, use SOCKServ with ICS.

How do I use SOCKServ and ICS together?

Using ICS greatly simplifies setting up SOCKServ to share your connection. You do not need to follow the instructions in the how to. You do not need Bind/NT/95 because ICS has a built in DNS gateway. The built in DHCP server means that you do not need to manually assign IP addresses to each client.

All you need to do is run SOCKServ and set the listening port (and bandwidth limit, etc. if you desire).

Why am I telling you this?

I don't make money on SOCKServ. I just made it in my free time. Unlike commercial internet sharing vendors, I have no reason to pretend that it is the best solution for whatever you want to do.

Back to the SOCKServ page.