XP Internet connection sharing of a wifi connection and vpn?

[humbletech99]

I want to quickly set up internet connection sharing on one xp laptop to share it's wifi connection to all the other laptops. Can I do this by connecting to the wifi point and also using the same wireless card to connect to talk to all the other laptops to let them piggy back the connection?

I remember reading something about a connection limit on a workstation for internet connection sharing, can't remember if it was 3 or 10 connnection limit. Anyhow, I expect the standard microsoft connection limit of 10 would apply. Is ICS limited to 3 or 10 clients?

Also would I be able to share the VPN connection and would it actually work? I expect I'd have to connect to the vpn first and then go the properties tabs and tick share this connection.

I guess I can't share both at the same time? Could I have both the wifi shared and the vpn shared so clients can just get a DHCP lease and then browse to the other side of the vpn?

I have to do this on the spot at an event and I'd like to know if it would work and what the limitations/pitfalls are.

All ideas and speculations welcome.

[cozofdeath]

Heres some of what I know. Anyone correct me here if I am wrong.

Can I do this by connecting to the wifi point and also using the same wireless card to connect to talk to all the other laptops to let them piggy back the connection?

Yes

Is ICS limited to 3 or 10 clients?

I think 5 for XP Home & 10 for XP Pro

Also would I be able to share the VPN connection and would it actually work? I expect I'd have to connect to the vpn first and then go the properties tabs and tick share this connection.

I guess I can't share both at the same time?

Not as far as I know, but you can use both just not at the same time.

[humbletech99]

that's a shame, 10 connection limit I could live with but not being able to vpn kinda defeats the purpose.

Can ICS use the same interface to connect to the internet via wifi and simultaneously talk to the other laptops via wifi with the same wifi card to let them access the internet through it?

Perhaps I can use ICS to connect to the net and then share the connection and then have each client individually vpn back to the office?

Or perhaps I can just connect to the internet and then connect to the vpn, share that connection instead of the internet connection and have the other laptops ride the vpn connection back into the office?

[cozofdeath]

Can ICS use the same interface to connect to the internet via wifi and simultaneously talk to the other laptops via wifi with the same wifi card to let them access the internet through it?

I believe you must have 2 interfaces.

Perhaps I can use ICS to connect to the net and then share the connection and then have each client individually vpn back to the office?

Should work.

Or perhaps I can just connect to the internet and then connect to the vpn, share that connection instead of the internet connection and have the other laptops ride the vpn connection back into the office?

I don't think so but I'm not totally sure. Server 2003 would really be a better choice for some of the stuff you want.