Generally broadband connection is shared in offices but even can be shared at home where 2 PCs needs to be connected with a broadband internet connection. Although there are many methods to share a broadband internet connection. One of those methods is by using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing. It is an in-built software found in Microsoft Windows 98 SE, Windows 98 ME, Windows XP and Windows 2000. ICS enables a computer connected to the Internet via a cable or DSL modem to share its connection with other computers connected to it via Ethernet cable. There are 2 ways of setting up the network which depends on the number of computers that needs to be shared. 1. For 2 PCs: The 2nd Computer can be connected directly to the 1st Computer using a crossover cable but both computers must have network cards installed. 2. For more than 2 PCs: A switch (or hub) is required in order to connect 3 or more computers. In this case, all the computers are all connected to the switch using standard Ethernet cable.
