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If you have one computer that connects directly to the Internet through a modem, you can share that computer's Internet connection using Windows ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). When you set up ICS, your computer — called the host computer — becomes a DHCP server for the rest of the network. After the host is set up, the rest of the computers on your network must be set up as clients. ICS clients can be Windows PCs or Macintosh computers.
Configuring a Windows PC as a DHCP client
Use these steps to configure a Windows PC as a DHCP client:
1. Open the Windows Control Panel and then double-click the Network Connections icon to open a list of network connections.
2. Double-click your current connection to the network.
3. In the resulting Status dialog box, click Properties.
4. In the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click the Properties button.
5. In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box, select the Obtain an IP Address Automatically option.
6. Select the Obtain DNS server address automatically option.
7. Click OK and close all open dialog boxes.
 | When you set your computer to obtain an IP address automatically, it gets the address from either your router's built-in DHCP server, or from an ICS Host on another computer. You may need to restart your computer for your changes to take effect. |
Configuring a Mac as a DHCP client
Follow these steps to configure a Mac as a DHCP client:
1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu and click the Network icon.
2. In the resulting Network control panel, click the Show menu drop-down arrow and choose the network connection you use to connect to the network.
| If your computer connects to the network using the built-in Ethernet network port, choose Built-In Ethernet in the Show menu. If you connect using an AirPort Card, choose AirPort in the Show menu instead. |
3. Click the TCP/IP tab.
4. Click the Configure menu drop-down arrow and choose Using DHCP.
5. Click the Apply Now button and then close the Network control panel.
6. Press Command+Q to quit System Preferences and then restart your computer.
| If you're using a portable Mac, you can use it to connect to several different networks. For example, at home you may connect it to your home network using an Ethernet cable, but at Wi-Fi hotspots you may connect using AirPort instead. Use the Location menu at the top of the Network control panel to specify connection settings for different network locations. |
| Macintosh OS X can obtain an IP address automatically from a DHCP server built in to any router, or from a Windows PC running Internet Connection Sharing. |
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