Any small office networks use a single dedicated line to
connect to the Internet for email and web browsing. This works fine as long as
only one person (ie, the person with the modem) requires access but how do you
share a single modem between all users on a network, so that they can connect
individually (or simultaneously) as required?
Perhaps the easiest answer for Windows 98 users is to obtain
the latest version of this popular operating system, known as Windows 98 SE
(second edition). Another approach is to use a software proxy server such as
WinGate, as described in the October 1999 issue. Basically, WinGate is
installed on the PC with the modem which then acts as a "proxy" for the client
machines on the network. With WinGate installed, each client machine behaves as
if it had its own modem. When a user wants access, the proxy automatically
initiates a dial-up session.
