URGENT: ICS and FTP Server

[MASTOURA]

I have a home LAN of 3 pcs and share Internet through the Windows98se ICS option.

I am also running an FTP server. The problem is that when the ICS was not there, the server was working fine. Users could log in, with no problem. As sson as I activated ICS, the users get the error "cannot connect".

I have tried disconnecting ICS, and the FTP worked fine again, meaning that the problem is just that: ICS "kills" my server!!!!

Has anyone any idea on how I can solve this problem? Thanks in advance.

MASTOURA

[MASTOURA]

Update to my previous post...

I have installed Sygate. I am pretty much lost with this simple software, mainly because it offers so many configurable options!!!

I have installed it onthe "server" machine, used the diskette to install it on the LAN pcs, but I get no Internet Connection Sharing. I don't know about the FTP yet, since I am pretty pissed that now I don't even have Shared Internet access...

Please help!

[MASTOURA]

Second update...
I installed on all client pcs the "client" version of Sygate. Everything is configured properly (so Sygate says) and all diagnistics are perfect, but I still cannot have Internet Sharing.

Concerning the FTP, someone told me that SyGate allowed File Sharing, but he didn't know how to do it...

PLEASE HELP ME!

[MASTOURA]

Third update...

seems like this thread is like a self-learning log, but for anyone who cares, I did it! Sygate is working, and so is Internet Sharing. Browsing was really slow in the beginning, but I put in the proxies and now it is flying! FTP server seems to be supported, since users can now be connected...

I only have a "stupid" question left...
I am also using Black Ice as protection/security tool. How can I make it that it "trusts" all local IPs (192.168.0.x) so that I don't have to manually add them each time? The clients are assigned dynamically IPs, so everytime they change.

Thanks.

[2canSAM]

I use ZoneAlarm and kinda had the same problem, look for a setting that allows you to enter an ip or subnet "range". Enter the range such as 192.168.0.1-192.168.99 or however you have your ip addresses set up. Sorry I can't be of more help as I don't use BlackIce. It seems to be a popular proggie though, so someone here will surely have the answer. Hope this helps.

[cyclone2]

This thread can also be a teaching thread, I was hopeing knowledgable ones would help you out but you seem to be fighting through it yourself http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
I plan to do the same myself soon and figured it would take some cursing and experimenting to do http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif
Thanks for answering your posts with updates

[MASTOURA]

Thanks for your input guys. Here's another "update".

ICS seems to "kill" all direct connection to the server. I am not sure if this 100% true, but the fact that SyGate now works with Norton Internet Security and Black Ice both installed, makes really believe that this is the case. Also, ICS is an excellent way to share Internet Connection, but has no "editing" options at all, meaning that you cannot really be flexible with it. Moreover, it claims that it works with dynamic IPs, but has never worked as far as my home LAN is concerned. Static IPs was what I was "forced" to use and this can decrease booting time. On the other hand, SyGate gives a wide range of possibilities, many of them I don't even understand yet. It is very flexible and does not kill FTP connection, which is important if you plan to run a server.

A note to those who plan switching to SyGate: Be sure to PROPERLY UNINSTALL ICS. If you just click on "disable" it won't work. Be sure to go in the control panel and properly remove it. I don't know if ICS is better with Windows ME. I will soon know, but the truth is that I don't even want to install it anymore. SyGate is just too great. It looks complicated for a beginner, but it is worth the learning process. A bad thing however is that I still cannot figure out how to make Black Ice "trust" all home IPs. I can always go back to the static IPs in SyGate, but the LAN seems to be much faster with the dynamic ones. Then again, this may be only an impression...

MASTOURA

[MASTOURA]

I forgot to mention something:
SyGate suggests not to use proxies in the client pcs. The truth is that when you use the "client disk" (similar to ICS client disk) it removes all proxy configurations. The funny thing is that the client pcs will be able to browse the Internet even with no proxies installed! This was NOT the case with ICS, which required proxies in all pcs. However, as I previously said, without the proxies the browsing is REALLY slow. Once inputed, it "flies". I think this is an importnat point, since my ISP provides me with proxies that I have to install (at least on the server). I don't know exactly WHY all machines do better when the proxies are manually defined, but they do....


MASTOURA

[cyclone2]

Well I just installed Winproxy and went through 3 1/2 hrs of hell. Finally got the other 2 comps to access internet through my NT server but finally worked when I uninstalled IIS (internet information server) seems they both like the same port (80) Any idea which port I can install IIS on?
Gotta love self abuse http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif