Securely connect your retro PC to a network using Windows XP.
Securely connect your retro PC to a network using Windows XP.
Good morning, here’s what you should consider. You can keep your Win98 PC connected to the local network without internet by disabling IP configuration and assigning a static IP address. Since your router doesn’t support VLANs, simply set up the device with a fixed network connection. This way, it stays isolated from the broader network while still allowing file transfers and access. It’s also a good idea to store more ISO files locally if needed. Let me know if you need further help.
You prefer no internet connection and suggest using a firewall to restrict unwanted traffic while keeping IP configurations intact. If that’s not possible, adjust your router’s Port Filtering settings. As a final step, modify your DNS settings to black or invalid domains, which blocks access to external websites.
If you don't allow it a Default Gateway and give it a Static IP that will stop it from getting infected directly. However if any other client gets infected and spreads a worm onto the network there's the possibility it could get infected indirectly. Without VLAN's I would probably install a NIC in the computer that will host the game files then create a P2P network between that and the win98 machine. This would fully separate it from the local network and still give you a means of sending it files over the network.