How to Use Two NIC Cards in One Computer

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Installing two network interfaces in one computer is not uncommon, but the process after the installation usually baffles the average computer user who wants to share the computer's connection to the Internet with other computers. You can go two ways when sharing your Internet connection to other computers in your network, while having your computer act as the host gateway for the other computers. Both methods are relatively easy and can be done by anyone with a good command of the Windows interface.

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Bridging Your Internet Connections

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Step 1

Go to your Control Panel from the Start menu.

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Step 2

Navigate to Network Connections.

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Step 3

Click on the first NIC that you want to bridge.

Step 4

Hold down the CTRL key while clicking on the second NIC that you want to bridge.

Step 5

Right-click on one of the selected NICs and click "Bridge Connections."

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Enabling Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

Step 1

Go to your Control Panel from the Start menu.

Step 2

Navigate to Network Connections.

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Step 3

Right-click on the connection belonging to the NIC that is connected to the modem or directly connected to the Internet.

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Step 4

Click Properties.

Step 5

Click the "Advanced" tab.

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Step 6

Click the option that allows other computers to connect via your computer's Internet connection. It is under "Internet Connection Sharing."

Step 7

Click OK.

Step 8

Click "Yes" if a message appears asking if you really would like to enable Internet Connection Sharing.

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