Disconnect XP VM from WAN

I want to keep my XP virtual machine (running on VMWare in Win 7) but I don't want it to have internet access after April 8. However I do need it to continue being available on the LAN. Initially I thought of uninstalling TCP/IP but that doesn't appear to be possible. I can't block it in the firewall as it uses the XP firewall which is inbound only. There has to be a simple way. :confused

 

Remove the gateway and DNS (or change it) in the XP machine. Removing the gateway should stop it from knowing the way out.
If you just need local access change the adapter in the VMware to host only.

 

If I remove the gateway I lose the LAN and the VM won't let me change the DNS because its shared with the host. Local access is no good, I need LAN access.

I've tried experimenting with the different network configs that the VM offers but none seem to block internet while allowing LAN access. LAN segment sounds useful but can't see how you configure it.

 

Faking the gateway works for me in bridged mode.
Does your router have access control? Maybe you can block the XP by MAC.

 

Yes, I believe I could do either of those, but surely I'd also lose access to the LAN? Anyway I will give it a try in the morning - thanks.

 

UPnP should allow you to turn off Internet access to that machine. It does here for 7 and 8.1, anyway.

Alternately, you could use the VM in bridge mode so that the router assigns it an IP, and then use your router to block internet access to it.

 

Thanks A - more food for thought for the morning.

 

Success - Adrynaline's suggestion of using the router to block the VM's IP from outgoing works perfectly - no internet but full LAN access. Only problem I could foresee was the VM's IP changing due to DHCP but setting a fixed IP has fixed that.

Pleased it worked as I wouldn't have known where to start with UPnP :-o

 

The UPnP thing might be Vista and higher only. Its just a matter of right clicking the internet connection on the network map and disabling. I will get a screenshot.

You can avoid the router changing the IP by going to the DHCP reservation settings of the router and setting a static address to go with a certain MAC or machine name (of your VM).

Then when you go to the network settings of XP, you set the reserved IP address as your IP address, default gateway of (typically) 255.255.255.0, and a default gateway of your router IP.

I do the above for my network printer, shared machines, and NAS so I don't have to search for them when my router changes out IP addresses.

 

Well, regarding UPnP, there was an interface in Windows XP that let you configure things. You add it from add windows components, and choosing it from the network items. I don't have XP to look at it, but 7 doesn't seem to have this anymore.

Alas, here is what I meant with DHCP reservation:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/39zgityhyrs32hg/Screenshot 2014-02-11 07.24.10.png
https://www.dropbox.com/s/r8qfooighp2nnov/Screenshot 2014-02-11 07.26.16.png

 

I use fixed addresses too for everything on the LAN though I've always done it in TCP/IP and not through the router. So when I change my router everything stays the same addresswise. We use Teamviewer on the LAN so fixed addresses are pretty well essential.

 

Yeah, as long as you reserve it in the router, you don't need to configure your software.


I've always been preferential to this method because I can configure everything from one spot.

 

Must admit I didn't try that, just assumed no gateway = no LAN but it does work so apologies for ignoring your advice. I should have known better :-o

 

Earthling, thanks for that acknowledgment. I've used that method before, even tested it in my VM. I have a degree in networking, but I still double check my 'solutions'. Very nice of you to say. Thanks.