Simple Internet Router Using PPP

On small intranets (an intranet with less than 20 computers), a computer running Windows NT Server can use Dial-Up Networking, simple TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) routing, and a PPP connection to an Internet service provider to create an Internet gateway for the computers on the small intranet. This configuration enables you to connect intranet clients to the Internet, as shown in Figure 6.1.

Figure 6.1 Windows NT Server as a static Internet router with PPP

In this scenario, the computer running Windows NT Server has a Dial-Up Networking connection to an Internet service provider (ISP). Static TCP/IP routing is enabled, and a static routing table is created for the computers on the private network. Routing information must also be provided to the Internet service provider because simple TCP/IP routing does not use the routing information protocol (RIP) to communicate with the ISP's router. The routing information enables the routers to route traffic to and from the Internet to computers on the private network.

This configuration can also support a very light-duty server running Internet Information Server.

For this scenario, you need to install and configure the following hardware or services:

• A computer running static TCP/IP routing with a static routing table
• TCP/IP networking protocol on all computers that will use the Internet
• Dial-Up Networking on the server that will dial in to the Internet service provider
• A modem
• Network interface cards on all computers
• Internet browsers, such as Internet Explorer, on all computers that will access the Internet
• Internetwide domain name resolution, as described in the section, "Establishing an Internet Connection," in Chapter 2, "Connecting Windows NT Server to the Internet."

For more information about simple TCP/IP routing and Dial-Up Networking, see the Windows NT Server Networking Supplement and the Windows NT Server Resource Kit Networking Guide.