Quick Checklist

For all WinRoute users, there is a basic list of settings and rules that, if performed, ensure a successful connection of their network to the Internet. Of course that functional Internet connection is a must.

You will perform the settings described below if you want to benefit from using NAT to share Internet access. If you want to use the Proxy Server built into WinRoute you do not have to perform these settings. In that case you would need to point your browsers and applications to WinRoute's Proxy Server. We strongly recommend using NAT (Network Address Translation) wherever possible. It is faster, more secure and reliable.

Settings and rules

  1. At WinRoute PC - Two Interfaces (at minimum)!
  2. Ensure that all IP addresses are pingable! Before installing WinRoute, make sure that each client is able to communicate with the machine WinRoute will be installed on.
  3. At WinRoute PC - Enable NAT on the Internet interface! For simplified firewall administration and internet sharing you must enable Network Address Translation (NAT) on the interface connected to the internet or any other non-trusted network. You enable NAT on devices from the interface table, not advanced NAT! In cases where WinRoute is used only as a Packet Filter Firewall, Proxy server or Mail Server, it is not necessary to turn NAT "ON" for any interface.
  4. At WinRoute PC - No Gateway on internal interface!
    Check that there is NO default gateway in the network properties of the interface (network device) linking to the internal network. Of course the default gateway on the Interface linking to the Internet will be set according to the details from your ISP.
  5. At client PC - WinRoute PC internal IP address is the default gateway!
    The WinRoute PC acts as the DEFAULT GATEWAY for all computers in the LAN. Therefore, use the IP address of the internal Network Interface Card on the WinRoute host (e.g.192.168.1.1) as the Gateway on every internal/client computer. Set this value at each "client" computer OR set this value once in WinRoute's DHCP server settings and it will assign this value to your workstations automatically!
    See Advanced (Inter) networking Examples if you would like to use a different default gateway!
  6. At client PC - Check DNS!
    In most cases you will use WinRoute's built in DNS forwarder as the primary DNS server for your networked computers. Make sure that WinRoute's built in DNS forwarder is enabled and configured. You may alternatively use the DNS server address of your ISP by entering it directly to the appropriate fields in the TCP/IP configuration of each networked computer.
  7. Each interface on the WinRoute computer must be part of a different subnet! The subnet mask defines all IP addresses included in a subnet. For local area networking it is easiest to use class C subnets where the mask is 255.255.255.0. With this mask the third octet will differentiate a subnet (i.e. 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.2.1 are in separate subnets if you are using a class C mask)