Local Network or Internet?

[Stef]

My workgroup consists of three computers, 2 Laptops connected to a
router/modem wireless, and a Desktop connected to the router via cable. I
created the workgroup by using the wizard. When I check "My network places"
they are all in the Internet and not in a Local Network. Should they not all
be in a local network?

 

[Andrew Leith]

Hi,

if Internet Explorer 7 is installed, then you'll have to make a small
configuration change.

In Control Panel, double click on "Internet Options", click on the Security
tab then click on "Local Intranet", finally click on the Sites button, just
below, to the right.
Remove the check from "Automatically detect intranet network". Leave all
other check marks in place. You might have to reboot to see the changes.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Andrew Leith.

 

[Stef]

Wow, now all PCs report their places as Local Network. I also changed the
rule in the router firewall to allow inbound traffic for the range
192.168.0.2 to 192.168.254. Was this the right thing to do??

 

[Andrew Leith]

Glad it worked.

You shouldn't make any changes in your router, since its firewall is
designed to keep the Internet out, not the local network. If you have
problems sharing files and the like, you might have to open the firewalls on
the local machines. Do you use the Windows firewall or a third party
firewall like ZoneAlarm , Norton etc.?

Regards,

Andrew.

 

[Stef]

I deleted the router firewall rule as you recommended. On the desktop I use
the F- Secure Plus firewall and have disabled the windows firewall. On the
two laptops I use Windows firewall. And now everything seems to work fine.
Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[Andrew Leith]

Glad to be of service.

Regards,

Andrew Leith.

I deleted the router firewall rule as you recommended. On the desktop I use
the F- Secure Plus firewall and have disabled the windows firewall. On the
two laptops I use Windows firewall. And now everything seems to work fine.
Thanks a lot for your help!