How do you set up two networks with a single router or switch so that they both access the internet yet they cannot see nor access one another's resourses?

Answer

I'm guessing that what you are trying to do is make it to where you can do either file-sharing or something similar to that on your computers but you only want certain computers to be able to file-share and what not with certain computers rather than all file-sharing with each other if not then please specify what you are trying to do and we'll go from there

Ok so if you need to have multiple networks your work is done on each separate computer....the router or hub honestly has nothing to do with this unless you are trying to use internet connection sharing...then you are stuck....anyways....that out of the way...all you have to do is change the workgroup names on the computer....example if you have 4 computers A, B, C, & D and you want to have A & C on a network called "Upstairs" and B & D on a network called "Downstairs" all you would have to do is follow these steps:

NOTE: These steps are written for users with Windows 2000 Professional if you don't have Windows 2000 Professional you may have to go to different options in order to change these settings

1. Right Click on the My Computer icon which is located either on the destop or the Start Menu if not both

2. Click on the Network Identification tab

3. Click on the Properties button

4. Make sure that the radio button next to Workgroup is selected and change the value to whatever you want your network name to be

Now at this point if you were to setup the networks as mentioned above on you would perform all of the above steps on each of the 4 computers and on A & C when you got to step 4 you would type in Upstairs in the box and on computers B & D you would type Downstairs in the box

Now this will make 2 separate networks but it will be possible for these 2 networks to be seen by each other because they will be connected by the same router or HUB and as long as the devices are connected to the same hub or router they are networked together regardless of settings. But if you use the steps above and you have password pretected your accounts on your computer the computers will be listed as being on the networks but access will not be granted to execute/copy/delete files on the networked computer unless the proper username and password has been entered

Well I hope I helped you and didn't confuse you...if any part of this was unclear please e-mail me @ turtlehermit@tmail.com and let me know what part(s) is/are unclear and I will clarify it/them for you

First answer by TuRtLeHeRmIt. Last edit by TuRtLeHeRmIt. Contributor trust: 142 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 35 [recommend question]