Server to share a 3G internet connection with a laptop?

[tmetford]

Can a laptop be configured to allow a tiny server on the same LAN, to display its web page via the internet connection provided by a 3G dongle plugged into the laptop?

Basically I'm replacing the broadband (and phone line, for that matter) in my office with a 3G dongle attached to a laptop (running windows XP pro SP3) and I need to enable the tiny server (a module-based mini computer supplied by www.emacsys.com which is something like the new "Raspberry Pi") to display its web page via the 3G dongle when my conventional broadband is terminated.

At the moment I am able to access the web page, mentioned above, and use it to control some relays that power on heaters and other office equipment remotely as and when required. I want to maintain this but it will have to happen via the 3G dongle and I don't know how to set this up.

Your help will be much appreciated!
Thanks
Tim

 

[Tuffie]

yo tmetford, welcome to CF brother.

With any more then the one device on your network, using a 3G router or 'hotspot' rather then a dongle would seem far more sensible to me, with less messing about to share your connection with the EMACSYS device.

Anyway, I'm somewhat sure this is possible, as I've used a laptop to share a connection via wifi using an ethernet connection (I'd do the research for you and try help to guide you through the process but my internet is capped at the moment).

Basically I'm replacing the broadband in my office with a 3G dongle

What is your motivation for doing this? Every part of me feels like this is some sort of sick joke, that or a cost cutting decision made because you need a mobile internet connection and can't justify paying for both a 3G and fixed connection (in which case if you have a smartphone, have you considered pairing?).

You do realise that, without the 3G adapter onsite in your office while your using it mobile your server will no longer have internet access.