How to share internet using USB dongle on windows vista

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Setting up wifi router as a switch for Internet Connection Sharing

I am running windows vista on my laptop and use a USB dongle for accessing Internet.

I have a Netgear router (WNR3500) which has a USB port but it is only for sharing/printing.

I would like to know if it is possible for me to share my internet from laptop to the router so I can connect my phones and tablets using router.

What is the best way to do it ?

This is an example network diagram of what I want to achieve:

Answer 1

I do not know how well this works with USB dongles but in the past I've used a piece of software called Wingate to bridge a network of computers through another machine.

WinGate Proxy Server will share most types of Internet connection, allowing multiple users to simultaneously surf the web, retrieve their email, or use other internet programs, as if they were directly connected to the Internet. Whether it is a simple dialup modem or high speed fibre, WinGate Proxy Server can help to make the most out of the connection. WinGate Proxy Server supports a wide variety of Internet protocols, allowing applications such as Web browsers, messaging software, FTP and SSL. WinGate Proxy Server also supports DirectPlay Internet games and Real Time Streaming Audio/Video.

In your case what I would do is install Wingate, make sure that it can see both your 3G Dongle and internal network connection and then set it up to use NAT to share your 3G dongle as your internet connection. This will most likely apply a fixed network address to your internal network connection.

Once that is set up you should be able to connect your Router to your computer. The best way will be to connect your router "WAN" port to your computer. This should simply then see your computer as an internet connection and allow devices on the wireless side of things (tablets, mobile phones) to connect to the internet through your computer.

Give it a try, according to their website:

New version: 7.2.6 (2 August 2012) - includes FREE 3 user license

At the very least there's a 30 day trial to see if it works.

Answer 2

Just bridge your dongle to your computer's ethernet port. Open up your adapter settings, select the two you want to bridge, and there you go.