I'm at an extended-stay motel, at which the only internet access is wireless.

I'm using Windows 8.1, 64 bit.

My computer connects wirelessly to the internet.

It also connects, via ethernet, to a router - which is connected to an NAS.

The "internet connector" on the router is empty.



[
Very minor issue:

The ethernet-accessible network is named Network 2.

Where did that name come from?

Windows? The router?  Can I change it?
]


THE PROBLEM

My problem is, when using a browser (or, presumably, another internet application), the system seems to randomly select a network.

Naturally, selecting the ethernet network fails (unless, of course, I want to talk to the router or the NAS).



RESOLUTION

I want network drive accesses to always use the ethernet network.

I could live with "everything else" always using wireless.

However, it would be nice if I could configure one browser to use ethernet.

I could then use that browser to "talk to" the router and NAS.

Nevertheless, I could live with disconnecting my wireless connection when I wanted to talk to the router or NAS.



LAST RESORT


I have have an additional small computer with wireless and ethernet capability, that could access the internet wirelessly, and connect to the router via ethernet.

However, the Microsoft "wireless bridge" documenation states that this should not be done with the internet as the wireless connection, as it gives everyone access to the (no longer) private network.

I'm wondering whether, if I use an ethernet cross-over cable, and connect the "small" computer to the router's internet port, if NAT (or some other mechansim) would protect me. Actually, I don't see how NAT per se, could provide security. So the addresses get "mapped". I could see that a router, in addition to performing NAT, could provide some security.


BOTTOM LINE


Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hi Bannerdog,

Thank you for your question.

You could rename the network on NIC at the local PC, right click NIC and choose rename.

If you want to browser web without any problems, you could configure the wireless card has high priority by the following link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2526067

If there are any questions regarding this issue, please be free to let me know.

Best Regard,

Ji