using XP pro as router with Macintosh

[bkkbkk83]

Hi--

I have two laptops, one a Dell running XP Pro and the other a Mac PowerBook running OS 10.2. At college, I only have one Ethernet port. I must register this ethernet port every year...after a registration period, the ethernet port is locked to the computer's MAC address and an IP address is assigned for the semester using DHCP.

Since the ethernet port is locked, I can't use ethernet with both computers by unplugging one and plugging the other in or using a hub.

So what I was considering doing was getting a second CardBus ethernet card and sticking it into my Dell laptop as a second NIC. I was going to use a crossover cable to connect my Mac to my Dell's second NIC. Then I was going to plug my Dell directly into my ethernet port using the built-in NIC that I've been using.

It seems that this should work in theory. But my question is, how do I go about configuring XP? Only one MAC/IP can be visible to the network; otherwise the computing center gets suspicious and the switch locks the second MAC/IP out. Can I simply bridge the network connections in XP? Will this hide the second comptuer's IP? I was also considering using ICS--but that will block out all other non-Internet network traffic (i.e. AppleTalk) from the Mac, won't it? Is there another way I can set up Win XP as a router? Should I be looking at a hardware router?

Thanks for all of your help!

Ben

 

[bcastner]

Get a router, or even possibly an 802.11b wireless router. One of the features of most small routers is the ability to clone a MAC address. You register your primary laptop computer's MAC address. You clone this address to the router in the dorm room. As far as the University system is concerned the router appears as your original notebook at all times.

People on cable systems, for example, often have to register their MAC addresses for authentication. They use routers to allow multiple computers to connect, just as you intend, by cloning the registered MAC address into the router.

It is likely the university has now, or soon will, support for wireless access. Having a wireless router would be a convenience. It too will clone a MAC address. Most of the small wireless routers available provide for wired ports for additional convenience and connection options.

Linksys and D-Link are two brands I have had good experience with.