Blocking Internet Connection on a Network

[DiBi]

We have a small windows network setup at our office with a DSL line connected through a router. I have one computer that has a printer on it that needs to be used by others but I would like to block that computer from accessing the internet. Is there any way to do this?

 

[JackMDS]

The Router probably can block the IP or and the MAC number of the concern computer.

Or, install NetBEUI on all computers as the default protocol for the LAN, and disable TCP/IP on the concern computer.

 

[DiBi]

I tried disabling the TCP/IP on that computer and then it could not be used for the printer.

 

[skyking]

Since you are using it as a print server, set the connection manually, and do not put in a gateway for it.

 

[DiBi]

Can you explain exactly how to do that. I have a very basic understanding of how the network works even though I set the whole thing up.

Thanks.

 

[skyking]

find the network connection, right click, properties, select tcp/ip, and click on properties button below window.
uncheck the box " obtain Ip automatically", and put in the same ip address that the box got from dhcp.
Uncheck the box, "obtain dns servers automatically", and put some nonexistent LAN IP address there.
Click on advanced, and make sure there is no gateway installed.

The internet will not work, but the box should be visible and you should be able to print to it as usual.

 

[13black]

Originally posted by: DiBi
I tried disabling the TCP/IP on that computer and then it could not be used for the printer.

To have that work you need to have Netbeui installed on all the PC's. You also have to bind File and print sharing to netbeui only. You may need to bind client for microsoft networks to Netbeui only. I have my network set up that way. Netbeui is a LAN only protocol, cant go on the internet with it. I have tcpip installed on all my PC's so they can access the internet, I just make sure Nothing is bound to it except the NIC. This way my shares are invisible from the WAN side. If you do this and remove Tcpip from the print server PC it won't be able to access the WAN side of your network. No internet for that PC.

 

[13black]

Originally posted by: skyking
find the network connection, right click, properties, select tcp/ip, and click on properties button below window.
uncheck the box " obtain Ip automatically", and put in the same ip address that the box got from dhcp.
Uncheck the box, "obtain dns servers automatically", and put some nonexistent LAN IP address there.
Click on advanced, and make sure there is no gateway installed.

The internet will not work, but the box should be visible and you should be able to print to it as usual.

That is an excellent idea. I have one suggestion though. Set your manual IP address so it is outside of the range of the IP's handed out by router. If you don't you could end up with two PC's with the same IP address. You can't have to PC's with the same IP on that subnet.