Configure a private network without internet access.
Configure a private network without internet access.
You're planning a self-contained network for your home devices, connecting things like lights and thermostats to an Amazon Echo without internet access. Your questions are clear: first, whether it can function properly, and second, how to configure it on a Netgear AC1750 router. Thanks for reaching out, Ajay!
I believe many smart gadgets require internet access to function, so they might not operate properly here. 2. In a completely isolated setup, avoid linking it to your router entirely—just use a switch and connect the devices. A DHCP server should work, but it’s better to place them on your primary network since these devices are designed that way.
I converted my PC into a router and set up a local network without internet access, but I’m happy with both environments. Since my PC runs 24/7, it’s not a problem. I’m using the built-in Windows network sharing, but instead of connecting to the internet, I’m sharing from a private virtual network. This setup makes my PC act like a router.
Most Alexa-enabled gadgets need a link to AWS for operation, especially when using Lambda functions. If you're working with a different smart hub that sends commands to a local device, it might work without an internet connection. A static IP and switch would suffice for a closed network, though many IoT devices rely on DHCP. If your setup doesn’t depend on the router for DHCP, consider adding a local DHCP server. Ideally, using a Wi-Fi router and avoiding the WAN cable connection to the internet would simplify things, provided there’s no wireless uplink or mesh with another router.
Nice job turning your PC into a router! It’s likely all those gadgets can still reach things on your local network. Windows is likely using basic NAT, so it shouldn’t block connections to nearby devices.
I just ran the test and attempted to reach a machine on the local network from another device in the same setup. The output shows many "Destination host unreachable" messages, but at the end it reports packets sent and received with no loss.
Thanks for your input. Connecting everything to Alexa was mainly for voice control without physical interaction. I won’t use Alexa for anything else, like checking the weather. I suspect there might be another router nearby that I could use to link my devices locally, bypassing the WAN connection. It may not function with Alexa since it requires internet, but it could serve as a point-of-connection. Any suggestions for an alternative hub that works without internet? Regards, Ajay Sharma