two networks on one?

[lenny109]

Hi,
I have a network set up at work where about 6 computers are all connected to the LAN (workgroup) they all connect to the internet via a modem/router.

We have a new person/company working out of a back office within the building and would like to give him internet access through our system but not access to the LAN (the other computers on the network)

Can this be done? We all use a mixture of XP home and Pro.

Cheers
Lenny

 

[NorthStarDA]

if you dont give him the same workgroup name, he should be able to get out of the gateway, but not see other machines on the network.

 

[lenny109]

thanks for the quick response. Am I wrong in thinking that the workgroup name actually doesn't make any diffence to accessing the network. (I read that on this forum some time ago but haven't tried yet.)

All the other computers have IP's provided 192.168.0.51 etc.

Does it matter what IP I give his computer or can it be set to auto. It is a laptop and he flicks between two offices so I want to be able to set the laptop up so all he needs to do is plug the cable in and he can get online, whilst keeping our computers hidden.

 

[NorthStarDA]

the workgroup name doesn't make any difference in accessing the internet, it matters when you want to see(or not see) other machines on the network. As far as the IP, its best to use DHCP (if you set it to auto, you must have a DHCP server on the network), especially if that is what he is using at the other office- that way- he wont have to do anything but plug-in.

 

[smah]

In a Workgroup environment, the only value of "Workgroup Name" is for logical organization. Any workgroup can see/access any other workgroup on the same subnet.

If you can control where this person plugs in, just get an inexpensive router. Set this router as a client in your primary network and have it use DHCP to assign a different range of addresses (like 192.168.1.XXX).

Just make sure that this second router is in a physically secure location, because all the user would have to do is use the new router's 'WAN' cable to bypass the second router.

 

[NorthStarDA]

thats interesting, so how would you access computers on another workgroup? i've never been able to see any computers in my network places other than those in my workgroup- is there another way to see them?

 

[smah]

NorthStarDA, in XP's 'My Network Places', click 'View Workgroup Computers', then click the Up arrow on the tool bar to see all workgroups on the network. Alternatively, open Windows Explorer, and expand My Network Places, Entire Network, Microsoft Windows Network.

 

[NorthStarDA]

wow, learn something new everyday

thanks!

 

[smah]

Oh, one last thing....

If you know the computer name, you can directly access it from any (explorer or whatever) address bar: \\Computername If there are any available shares, they will be listed.