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How to use secondary network adapter to be DHCP server and gateway for another network device?

Anonymous
2025-06-25T13:16:33+00:00

Hello.

I'm running Windows 11 Home. I have two Ethernet adapters: one is integrated with motherboard, the other is a PCI-E card. I am connected to the Internet via the first adapter. I have a few devices (3D printer, digital oscilloscope, function generator, etc.) that can be connected via LAN to a computer, in theory. In practice I can't figure out, how to set up my secondary LAN adapter to act as both DHCP server and network gateway for these devices that are configured to seek DHCP configuration. Some of them also need access to the Internet to check for firmware updates.

So my questions:

  1. Is it possible to configure Windows 11 to be a host/gateway for a network consisting of single device?
  2. If so, how to do it?
  3. Can I configure secondary card to grant access to Internet via primary network adapter? How to do it?

Best regards,

Urgon

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T23:35:49+00:00

    Hi Urgon, thanks for the update! I’m really glad to hear you’ve got the 3D printer reachable on the LAN via DHCPServ that’s a solid step forward. Let's now get the internet sharing working too.

    If "Internet Connection Sharing" (ICS) option is missing:

    That usually happens when:

    -The main adapter is using DHCP and/or connected to a managed network

    -Network services required for ICS aren't running

    Try These Steps:

    1. Manually Start ICS Service

    -Press Win + R, type services.msc

    -Find Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

    -Set Startup type to Automatic

    -Click Start, then Apply

    1. Enable ICS via Command Prompt

    Sometimes the GUI won't show it, but you can enable it via command:

    Open Command Prompt as Admin and run:

    netsh interface set interface "Ethernet" admin=enabled
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyNet key=Password123
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

    For ICS:

    netsh interface ip set address "Ethernet 2" static 192.168.137.1 255.255.255.0
netsh interface ip set dns "Ethernet 2" static 8.8.8.8

    Or use:

    netsh routing ip nat install
netsh routing ip nat add interface "YourMainAdapterName" full
netsh routing ip nat add interface "YourSecondAdapterName" private
    1. Verify IP Routing is Enabled

    -Open Registry Editor (regedit)

    -Navigate to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

    -Set or create IPEnableRouter as DWORD = 1

    -Restart PC

    Once ICS is working or routing is active:

    -Your 3D printer should pick up the gateway (192.168.137.1) from DHCPServ

    -Internet access should be routed through your main adapter

    Warm regards,

    Cherrelyn

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-27T23:13:00+00:00

    Hi Urgon,

    Thanks for the update, and it sounds like you've already put in a solid effort. Given the persistent ICS and bridging errors even after restoring system health your idea to use the old NetGear router is a practical and smart fallback. It’ll take care of NAT, DHCP, and firewalling without needing to wrestle with Windows’ built-in features.

    Once your printer is on the same LAN as your PC and internet, it should have no issue updating.

    Let me know how it goes or if you run into anything with the router—I’ll be happy to help.

    Warm regards,

    Cherrelyn

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T07:46:25+00:00

    Hi Urgon,

    Thanks for the detailed reply you’re doing everything right, and your notes help a lot.

    You're running into these issues because modern Windows versions (post-Vista) removed support for the old netsh routing ip nat commands they were part of the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS), which is not installed by default in Windows 10/11 Home or Pro. Since ICS doesn’t show in Services and RRAS isn’t available, your best bet is to use Network Bridge or a third-party lightweight NAT router app.

    Option 1: Create a Network Bridge

    If you want to share internet between two adapters (e.g. Ethernet to Ethernet), this is easiest:

    1.Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings

    2.Select both adapters (Ctrl+click your main internet adapter and the adapter connected to printer)

    3.Right-click > Bridge Connections

    Windows will create a bridge and assign routing between both networks.

    Downside:

    Bridging doesn’t allow for assigning DHCP from Windows you’ll still need DHCPServ for static IPs on the printer side.

    Option 2: Use a Free NAT/ICS Alternative (Recommended)

    Since ICS is missing, a tool like Connectify Hotspot or MyPublicWiFi can act as a local NAT + DHCP + bridge. They’re free (basic versions) and easier than manually setting routing tables.

    You just:

    -Select your main internet source (e.g., Wi-Fi)

    -Share it to Ethernet

    -Done the printer should see internet if it's on the same subnet.

    Bonus: Try ICS Repair

    If you really want ICS back:

    1.Open CMD as Admin and run:

    sfc /scannow

    2.Then:

    dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

    This might restore missing services like ICS if they got corrupted.

    Let me know which route you’d like to go, and I can guide you step by step you're very close to a working setup now.

    Warm regards,

    Cherrelyn

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T13:52:18+00:00

    Hi, I’m Cherrelyn, an Independent Advisor. I understand you're trying to use your secondary Ethernet adapter to connect devices like a 3D printer and share your PC's internet it's definitely possible with a few quick steps.

    Here's how:

    1.Assign a static IP to your second adapter

    Example: 192.168.137.1, Subnet: 255.255.255.0

    2.Enable Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)

    -Go to your main internet adapter’s properties

    -Under the Sharing tab, enable sharing and select your second adapter

    3.Run a small DHCP server tool

    -Use something like dhcpsrv

    -Set the gateway to 192.168.137.1, and DNS to 8.8.8.8

    This will allow connected devices to get IP addresses and access the internet through your PC.

    Warm regards,

    Cherrelyn

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T17:12:47+00:00

    Okay, I managed to run DHCPServ and can access the 3D printer. I can control it remotely. However I still can't connect it to the Internet. I can't find the option to share network of my main adapter. It is configured dynamically by using DHCP of the router/switch provided by the ISP (which I can't access directly)

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