I recently decided to install wireless network cards in multiple computers. This way each computer has their own dedicated Internet access and bandwidth. However, I still want these computers to access my local private network.
I have a dual core computer running Microsoft Windows Vista operating system that I use as my dedicated file server. This computer does not need Internet access. Also, I like to use Microsoft Windows operating system integrated Remote Desktop software to access other machines.
I have a switch hooked up to a Linux router. However, this router routes Internet packets because I still have some machines that do not have their own dedicated wireless Internet access yet. This switch is for Internet access and private access to a file server.
I ran into a problem where if obviously I connect a computer that already has wireless Internet access to this switch, then this computer will have two Internet connections. A work around is to disable Internet access on the wired local area network.
All you have to do is manually configure an Internet protocol address. Set a netmask and then do not fill in a gateway. Also, you can optionally set a manual domain name server address to an internal network one if you have a local domain name server.
What this setup allows you is to still browse your local private network but not access the outside world known as the Internet. I successfully configured a quad core computer running Microsoft Windows seven operating system. You will want to browse to “Control Panel” then select “Network and Internet”.
Now you will want to choose “Network and Sharing Center”. Then you can click on a network device you want to disable Internet access for. You will want to select “Properties” then select “TCP/IPv4” or “TCP/IPv6” if your network uses internet protocol version six.
You can then click on “Properties” and then click on “Use the following IP address”. You will want to configure an internet protocol address and netmask. You do not want to set a gateway.
By not including a gateway you are blocking access to the Internet. You do not need to enter any domain name server addresses under “Use the following DNS server addresses:”. You can click on “OK” then “Close” and “Close” again.
You should now only be able to access your local network devices and not the Internet. These instructions and tips were written for Microsoft Windows seven operating system. However, you could use them for other Microsoft Windows operating systems and possibly Apple Macintosh as well as Linux operating systems.