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1 2 Previous Next 16 Replies Last post: Aug 24, 2008 7:52 AM by WoodyZ  

Connection posted: Mar 20, 2008 10:23 AM

Click to view James Gieske's profile Enthusiast 26 posts since
Sep 5, 2007

Can I establish an internet connection through WinXP settings and have it also work for host OSX? I have the need to use a USB-IRDA dongle for a cell phone connection and I seem only to be able to use the dongle in Windows. I want to use my usual Mac Mail program, so if I can get online through WinXP, can I then use that connection in OSX? Jim

MacBook core2duo, OS10.4.11, VMWare Fusion, WinXP, Bafo 7030 usb-irda adaptor (innards by SigmaTel, "STir42xx").

Re: Connection

1. Mar 20, 2008 10:56 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view etung's profile Guru 11,030 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
WoodyZ wrote up a guide to sharing the guest network with the host, perhaps it applies to you. Share Windows XP Guest Internet Connection with OS X Host HOWTO

Re: Connection

3. Mar 21, 2008 9:05 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view etung's profile Guru 11,030 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
I am not part of nor do I have a Active Network in the OSX host, but I can have an internet connection from the host. I can also get an active internet connection from the Guest. Do I read correctly in the directions that I simply set the guest to "bridged" and that is all?

I haven't tried Woody's instructions, but I believe all he meant by an "active connection" is that OS X thinks it has some sort of connection (even a computer-to-computer wireless network) because otherwise it won't try. From the document: "This means that there must be an Active Link Status on either the OS X Built-in Ethernet or AirPort."

Aside from setting the guest to Bridged, I think you have to do change a setting in the guest for it to share the connection.

Re: Connection

4. Mar 21, 2008 9:26 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view WoodyZ's profile Guru 10,004 posts since
Apr 22, 2004
James Gieske wrote:
Thanks for the response. Please forgive my ignorance. I have been attempting to parse out my needs from Woody Z's paper, but I am getting confused because my needs are so much simpler than what he has outlined. Under "requirements", this appears:

OS X 10.4.9 or Higher
VMware Fusion 1.0 or Higher
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 VMware Fusion Virtual Machine
Internet Connectivity from within the XP Guest Virtual Machine.
Active* Network Connection in OS X Host.

I am not part of nor do I have a Active Network in the OSX host

Please note there is an asterisk after the word "Active*"

"Active* Network Connection in OS X Host.


  • This does not mean an existing active connection to the Internet on the
Host as if this were the case then this document would not be necessary. This
means that there must be an Active Link Status on either the OS X Built-in
Ethernet or AirPort."

If you're not connective to an Active Network on the Host then you can give "Active Link Status" to the Built-in AirPort by following the direction.

The Device you're using in the Guest must be able to have ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) enabled on the connection and if not then you will not be able to do as suggested in my document.

I suggest that first you check to see that ICS can be enabled on the target device and if it can then reread my document and follow the directions while substituting the appropriate information that is applicable to your scenario.

Then post back with questions if needed.

Re: Connection

6. Mar 22, 2008 1:04 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,134 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
Look in this message thread to see if anything helps you: Re: Sharing internet connection from guest to host. It uses a Palm Centro USB modem but it should be applicable to your USB-IR modem.

Re: Connection

7. Mar 22, 2008 6:53 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view WoodyZ's profile Guru 10,004 posts since
Apr 22, 2004

James Gieske wrote: Can you point me in the right direction to see if the device (cell phone??) can be enabled? Thanks, Jim

The answer to your question is in the Windows Help File!

Click Start > Help and Support > type ICS in the Serach text box and press Enter or click the -> button.

In the Search Results pane click on Enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection.

Then read on...

Re: Connection

9. Mar 22, 2008 7:39 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,134 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
Your USB device doesn't have to have OS X drivers. My Palm Centro acting as a USB modem does not have OS X drivers (there are third party ones) and I'm able to install the Windows drivers and give OS X a working Internet connection from within XP.

Re: Connection

11. Mar 22, 2008 8:15 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view WoodyZ's profile Guru 10,004 posts since
Apr 22, 2004

James Gieske wrote:Aha! This is where I started. I want to make the dialup connection in the guest (WinXP) because I can and use the Mac Mail in OSX. Just not sure how to use the XP connection in host OSX>


If you actually have a Dial-Up Connection under Network Connections > Dial-up then all you need to do to enable ICS on that Dial-Up Connection is to right-click the target dial-up connection and select Properties then click the Advanced tab and click the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.

Re: Connection

13. Mar 22, 2008 10:00 AM in response to: James Gieske
Click to view rcardona2k's profile Champion 5,134 posts since
Oct 20, 2005
Windows and "simple" shall not be written in the same sentence. Unfortunately, sharing your USB-lR dialup connection with your OS X host requires to setup the contortion in the How-To link above.

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