Keeping FS PC's offline.

[jackpilot]

In my new setup I'm also careful to keep all cockpitcomputers offline behind a switch with no firewall, antivirus or any other uncockpitrelated software.

Hi
Could you elaborate on that for "network challenged pilots". Very interesting topic.

[Trevor Hale]

Hey Jack,  Basically he doesn't want any outside interference, slowing down his cockpit network.  Computers can be bogged down accessing the internet.  So he just uses a switch, (Not a router) to connect his internal network together.  This allows all computers unrestricted access to one another. (Keeping it off the internet also allows him to keep all computers with unrestricted access between themselves).

The advantage of him using a switch over a router (Firewall) is that there is no chance he will have any network traffic issues.

With all that being said..  it is an easy way of networking.  However, he does have an access point to Vatsim through a laptop that he has on the WWW.  But I am not sure if I would be doing that without some protection going to the FS machines.  I am sure he has something in place.

Trev

[jackpilot]

This is basically what would be interesting to figure out.
I use a switch (by fluke!) and none of my networked computers has access to the net.
This was my intent for several reasons:
No need as you say to have all the protection crap that takes out a lot of juice.
No risk of getting bugs and virus in, as long as all soft added via CDs come from a very safe internet PC.
No risk from unwanted updates which can create havoc.
But it means no Vatsim, no Weather, no metars..etc
So it would be interesting to have opinions from Wizards on how to get access to the net on one of the PCs while keeping the others free of firewalls and bug catchers.

One note: if you guys have done it please try to explain how in very basic terms, as some of us are dummies in that matter..

[Trevor Hale]

I would have to get back to you on this..  Naxx did have a good explanation.  I am sure there is a way to do it though. 

[NAX228]

The network running cockpitsoftware is indeed as Trevor writes running over a switch, with cables.
However one of the PCs got two network cards.One of them is going via cable to the switch on it,s own IP adress the other one is a WLAN connecting wireless to my router on its own IP adress.The connections is not bridged and the network is not set up in a way that grant PCs internet accsess via other computers.

To give each connection it's own IP is another matter but is easily done in the properties sections of the actual connection on each PC.
We'll get you there Jack!Let us know where your problem apear.
Anyway you need a switch.