Tool for handling multiple networks on Windows platform
Tool for handling multiple networks on Windows platform
I have two networks connected to my PC, with two Ethernet ports on the motherboard. My primary ISP uses fiber directly to the computer, while the other is a slower connection at home that includes a NAS and printer on the local network. I’m unsure how Windows handles both links. I’ve set both adapters to IPv4 version 15. I’m looking for tools or software to manage them separately—using the better ISP for internet and the main one for local use.
The ISP isn't necessary for LAN operations; your PC communicates directly with devices on the same local network. You can assign ports using the higher-priority WAN as the top choice: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-chang...windows-10. If both are set to 15, they share the same priority—reduce the number for the preferred one so Windows favors it. For optimal performance, consider using a single WAN, or if you need redundancy, handle load balancing or failover at the router level.
Accessed from my phone after a long time; control panel and network settings were navigated. A page displayed all your NetXork adapters, with an option to open a ribbon at the top using F-key shortcuts. Within it, there was a setting to adjust priorities, aiming to prioritize the better connection above the weaker one, defaulting to it when no LAN adapter is available.
Priorities (higher values mean worse for Windows, lower means better) or assign a fixed IP on the problematic network and disable the default gateway so it relies on the quicker alternative for anything unreachable on the other subnet.
It's not advisable to connect your PC directly to the internet from a security standpoint. A Windows/Mac/Linux workstation will have significantly more vulnerabilities than a typical home router. Most modern routers priced over $50 won't be a major performance issue unless you require high bandwidth. Latency should remain under 1-2ms on average. I strongly recommend using a separate router between your computer and the internet for better protection.