Windows 7: ICS where logging in to internet is required

Hey peeps,

So I'm wondering whether there is a solution or workaround available to solve my problem.
Currently I connect through an ethernet cable to a network which requires me to log in with my username and pass on a portal page. I'm hoping to create a simple ad-hoc network through which I can hook up my phone, xbox or laptops and such. The problem comes when I try and connect to the internet, I'll use my laptop as the example.
I simply join the ad-hoc which I have bridged to the ethernet connection on my main pc, and load up an internet browser. What then comes up is the portal log-in page. I can't sign myself in twice, so I can only use one device at a time, which obviously defeats the point of trying to share the internet. Next concern is that the xbox doesn't have a web browser, so no way of connecting to the portal page.

I'm really not sure why I'd need to sign in on each device, I thought ICS acted like a proxy, so everything ran through it, but if that's so, how does the network know the laptop is a separate device and therefore needs to log in?



Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Ed

Ed yep put a router between your PC and the network. The network will always see the requests coming from the same device and not ask you to log on again.

'ken

This sounds like what I see in some hotels, where I first encounter a web-portal page before I have full Internet access. The web portal is a way to authenticate users. You might be able to create a wireless "hotspot" using your notebook.

I was hoping to use my desktop's wireless card to create my own "hotspot" I just don't understand why it forces me towards the portal page?
'ken, what's the difference between using a router and having a shared ad-hoc network?

Ok, I'm going to have to go the router route then. Can anyone suggest a simple router for the job? Am I going to need any special functions on it? What about Bridges or Switches? Or will they not do what I need?