Wrapping Up

Windows XP provides ICS and ICF for home and small office networks so that Internet connections can be shared and firewalled. These features give you the connectivity flexibility that you need, as well as protection from attacks from the Internet. Keep in mind that one Windows XP computer acts as the host computer on an ICS network, and Windows XP will automatically assign the appropriate IP address and subnet mask. When using ICF, ensure that all connections to the Internet have ICF enabled, and consider enabling additional services as needed. To handle dissimilar network segments, Windows XP provides a network bridge feature.

In the next chapter, you’ll turn your attention to Windows XP and multimedia.