Create a Network with no Internet Access

[BFM_dStruct]

Hey Guys

I am hoping that this can be done.

Down at a local sporting club I am trying to set up a network to allow laptops / computers / tablets to connect to and print to a printer connected on the same network. Maybe even use it to connect a hard drive as well, but not initially.

The club currently has no access to the Internet.

Can this be done by setting up an old modem / router?

Cheers

d3

[BFM_Kiwi]

You don't need the internet at all.

You don't need a modem, as that is something to connect to the internet.

What you want is to set up a LAN.  You'll need some form of router or hub to physically connect up all the compters.

Then depending on what OS, you set up a network once all the computers are connected.   What OS would you be using?  Later versions of windows are much easier to use, and if all computers are using the same version it helps.  Most have a wizard style setup, just choose home network.

For the printer, you can either set up a network printer, connected to the router/hub just like the computers, or you can connect the printer to one of the computers and it can share the printer to the other computers.  Which is easiest/works best depends on the OS version and the printer.

[Macheez]

The simple answer is YES!!  A router will do the job nicely.

Questions to answer:

• Do you plan to run wires to the router, run wires and use wireless, or just use all wireless?
• Does your printer have an ethernet port in the back or possibly connect wirelessly?
• What operating systems are on the computers?  (i.e. XP Home, XP Pro, Vista, Seven)

Take note of the following:

• If the printer does not have an ethernet port(or wireless) then you will need to connect the printer to a single computer.  The computer will have to share the printer on the network.
• If you are using XP Home then you may have some networking headaches, otherwise XP Pro, Vista, and Seven are good for connecting on a network.
• If you use wireless to connect computers then please use decent security techniques.

How to setup a printer and several computers:

• Make sure your router has at least one port more than the amount of computers that you need.  The printer has to connect to the router also.
  
  • If you are connecting the printer to a computer then of course you don't need the extra port on the router.
  • Don't mistake one of the ports on the router for an outbound signal.  Remember that the router is expecting a single inbound connection from the internet which you won't have.
• Run an ethernet line from each of the computers into the router.
• Run an ethernet line from the printer to the router.
• Turn on the router.
• Turn on the computers.
• Turn on the printer.
• Determine which computer will be your "main" computer and open and internet browser (i.e. Firefox/Chrome).
• In the address bar type   http://192.168.0.1     OR type   http://192.168.0.254     More than likely either one of those will get you into the router's administrative settings.
• Change the settings appropriately including security and then close the browser window.
• Install the printer software/drivers onto each of the computers.  When it gets to the point of detecting the printer then be sure to state "Network" and not "Directly connected".
• On each computer open up your printer's properties and initiate a "Test Page".

Obviously there is much more that can be said but that should get you started.  Post back here any further questions or problems and I believe we'll get you hooked up nicely.

Hope that helps!
Mac-n-Cheez