Unidentified Network

[sobershea]

This is a curiosity question more than anything. I have a desktop and two laptops all networked and all works fine. I'm curious why though, when I go into Network and Sharing (WIN7) on the desktop, it shows the LAN as public and unidentified. Since all my networking is done through a Netgear router, my feeble mind says I am not using the LAN. BUT, the fact that it say Public is kind of bothersome. Is there some setting somewhere to make it not Public? Or is it just a Windows thing and I don't need to worry about it? I would like to "identify" the LAN and make it private, if you all think it is necessary.
TIA

[Roderunner]

Hi Sherry, this will help you.

Network Connections.pdf

[sobershea]

George, I am attaching a picture of my IPCONFIG. I'm not sure if I was supposed to use the 1.1 or the 1.7 address. Also, in the instructions it says to "locate the adapter you are using". I made the changes to the Local Area Connection, though I USE the Netgear. Anyhow, I change the Local Area Connection twice, trying the 1.1 and the 1.7, both times rebooting. The end result was that either way, I still ended up with a Public Unidentified network.

[viking33]

Have you checked this?
Go to control panel>Network & Sharing Center.
Under "Active Networks, click on the network listed. It should bring up a screen similar to the screenshot below.
Select Home Network and make sure the box on the last line is UN-checked.

Capturenet.JPG

[sobershea]

Well I can't seem to get that page. When I click on the icon (a bench) for the Local Area Connection on the left side, I get a dialog box that appears to allow me to change the name from Unidentified Network. However it won't let me type anything. When I click on the hyperlink on the right side that says Local Area Connection, and select Diagnose, it tells me it has an invalid IP configuration. I get that answer whether I use the default gateway of 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.7 (I still don't know which one I am supposed to use from the IPCONFIG picture in the previous post). Any other ideas?

TIA

[Roderunner]

Hi Sherry, your router's default gateway is 192.168.1.1
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If you ticked the box in Bob's image, heres how to fix it. http://www.mediafire.com/?7mgr0wx3m3xkfs1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sobershea]

George, before I do this I have a question. Right now, the Netgear wireless works fine. I am able to share files between computers as well as use the Internet on all computers. Will "fixing" the Local Area Connection mess with my working setup? I don't want to mess with something if it doesn't need fixing. I guess my question is, is there any harm to having a Local Area Connection that says it is unidentified and says it has no network access, when my wireless connection works fine? This all started because I was curious why it would be unidentified and public. But does it matter? And will any of the changes you just sent mess with my Netgear wireless connections?

[Roderunner]

Hi Sherry, If you change as I suggested, and set to a 'Home' or 'Work' network, your Firewall will work as intended by Mr Gates.

[sobershea]

OK. Thanks for the confirmation. Will try this tomorrow and will let you know. Thanks again.

[JoeP]

Typically, the LAN connection is for a wired connection. Your picture shows you using a wireless connection. Have you ever used a wired connection for that PC?

Joe

[sobershea]

Well, I followed the steps and initially the unidentified LAC was changed to a Home group and it didn't say public. However, the moment I rebooted, it was back to being a public unidentified network. So, I am asking myself, why do I need the LAC? Everything goes through the Netgear router which is wireless. So I decided to disable the LAC and reboot and see if there were any repercussions. So far, not. So I guess I am good to go. I got rid of that annoying unidentified network. I am going to do some research to see why I would even need the LAC.

Thanks all,

[Roderunner]

Hi Sherry, the LAC is what allows you to connect from 1 pc to another on your home Network, Default name 'Workgroup' for file sharing.
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Have you ever connected to anyone else's network. If so, there will be 2 entries as in my image although it only shows one, as I don't use other networks.

RR.jpg

Yours will show as 'Netgear' (as you never changed the SSID in your router) your home network. Any others can be deleted.

[sobershea]

Joe P, I have never used a wired connection with this PC. George, I use the Netgear for my Internet connection as well as my house network. I think you are saying it is OK to disable the LAC. So far, everything is working fine, so I'm guessing I didn't need it.

Thanks for all the input everyone. Funny where a little bit of curiosity takes you..