Win XP as A Simple Router | Network Computer Tips

Hello blogger holic, after I told you a security tips about securing your computer from offline viruses using USB Disk Security, now thecybergal will tell you a method to make your Windows XP as a simple router. As we known, router used us to make some connections among two or more different network.

We usually use Pure Router "to bridging" different network connections. There is a wide variety of Pure Router which we can use as a router in our network like MikroTik, IPCop, PfSense, Ubuntu Server and so on. But in this passage, we will discuss about XP Router.

So, does Windows XP can work like a Pure Router? Yes, of course it can although there are many features that can be handled by XP Router. Let’s get it done.

xp router topology | thecybergal.blogspot.com

From the picture above, the Internet network (Red) has the IP segment 192.168.1.X, HotSpot Network (Blue) has the IP segment 192.168.20.X and LAN (Green) has IP segment 10.10.10.X. With topology as above, then XP Router requires at least three NICs, namely for the network of Red, Green, and Blue.

The following are IP settings for the third NIC on the "PC XP Router":
NIC for Green connection:

• IP: 10.10.10.1
• Netmask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway (GW): [left it blank]

NIC for Blue connection:

• IP: 192.168.20.1
• Netmask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway (GW): [left it blank]

NIC for Red connection >> IP settings depends on the ISP where we rented bandwidth (static or dynamic). We assume that we use static IP address:

• IP: 192.168.1.5
• Netmask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway (GW): 192.168.1.1 (IP from our ADSL Modem)

All of three different networks above must have different IP segments/should not be the same between Red, Green, and Blue.

IP configuration of each computer (under XP Router).
Green

• IP: 10.10.10.2-224
• Netmask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway (GW): 10.10.10.1 (This gateway leads to the Green NIC XP Router)

Blue

• IP: 168.20.2-254
• Netmask: 255.255.255.0
• Gateway (GW): 192.168.20.1 (This gateway leads to the Green NIC XP Router)

When you finished, let’s play with your XP Router.

1. Go to Regedit.
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
   Change the value of IPEnableRouter Right-click > Modify > Value Data change the value to be 1.
3. Close the Registry Editor, and restart your XP Router. Now, all of your Network PC can be connected to the Internet. Pay attention to restart your XP Router before it can be worked properly.

OK guys that are all XP Router for you. I hope it can be useful when you have no any Pure PC Router as an alternative method for you to stay connected. See you on the next thecybergal tips.

Adapted from: http://www.home-network-help.com/