Ubuntu Networking :: Unable To Use The Netbook Wireless Hotspot

setting up a netbook's wireless access point (to allow remote connection to a network drive connected to the netbook). I know this sounds daft but there is a reason.I just switched workplace and have all my projects on one drive.However my new workplace's network only assigns ip to certain Mac addresses. So I can't just plug in the network drive.My new work desktop is MS loaded, warranty sticker sealed and shared so I can't change this.Well I will, but not in the first week.

The simplest solution I thought of was to bring in my ubuntu netbook connect this to the network drive and wirelessly connect the netbook to the new desktop this via a wireless USB dongle.I connected the netbook to the network drive with no problem using the wired card. I done this by adding

Code:

auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
address 192.168.4.1
network 192.168.4.0

[code]....

For the wireless bit, on the netbook, I right clicked on the network indicator icon and selected "Create New Wireless network" then entered a network name and WEP passphase.Over to the desktop (XP). I plugged in a wireless dongle, get it load the driver then selected my new network and entered the passphrase. It came up connected and sure enough I check and it got assigned a sensible IP.

All seemed well and I even connected my android phone with no issues. The phone and desktop can ping each other. However for some reason I can't actually ping or ssh to or from the netbook.So whilst it's happily providing the wireless network it can't use it itself.

p.s. Incidentally I am allowed to plug in USB drives so this isn't an access issue or me trying to sneakily circumvent rules. I even told my IT department about the wireless dongle plan.