Step 3: Networks
This page explains how to select and correctly configure your network and related software.

Network Configuration
It is often much more efficient to use a server as a dedicated hosting machine and have one or more separate workstations for normal Internet access. To do this you must obviously configure a network to link these computers to the Internet. There are two main ways this can be achieved, depending on your Internet connection method.

Internet Connection Through a Cable Modem or Dial-up Modem
With this type of configuration, the server should be connected directly to the modem. If you only have one other workstation that you want to connect to the Internet, it is possible to simply link the two computers directly using a crossover cable. However, if you need to connect more than two computers, you must use a network switch or hub with standard network cables as shown below:

With a modem connection, you have one computer connected directly and all other Internet connections directed through this computer. Therefore you must enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) on this computer and set all other computers to 'Obtain an IP address automatically' in the dialog for the connected network card. This is the default behavior so probably will not need changing. Now, the other computers will be assigned an IP from the server when Windows loads. Also, ensure that if using the ICS firewall (enabled by default with ICS) that you allow the appropriate ports through to the server. Otherwise the server applications will never receive any data.

Internet Connection Through a Broadband Router
When using a broadband router, you can connect multiple computers directly. All you have to make sure is that you configure the router for port forwarding. This basically means setting the router to forward incoming requests on certain ports to your server so that it can handle the requests. See the diagram below which clarifies the router configuration: