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

UnluckyProf said:

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

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?