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flamin lib

(14,559 posts)
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 04:17 PM Dec 2019

Need wifi home network without internet access.

Moving to the boonies and internet service is basically non existent. Only internet I will have is smartphone which is ok for now.

I need to connect a printer and a wireless thermostat. Running windows 10 on a dell gaming desktop.

How do I do this?

Also if there is any experience with wireless thermostats I'd welcome it. Have a 1200 sq ft two story and will live upstairs so want thermostat up there instead in the old 'living room' downstairs.

Tried to find local advice but to on avail. No wonder retail is dying, no knowledge, no help just take the card and run.

eta I don't care about setting the thermostat with my phone or puter, just want to control temp from living area not from the vacant first floor.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Need wifi home network without internet access. (Original Post) flamin lib Dec 2019 OP
Not having tried this, but ManiacJoe Dec 2019 #1
I've seen smart phone controllable thermostats at Lowe's 5X Dec 2019 #2
Get a router that puts out a wireless signal. LuvLoogie Dec 2019 #3
Buy yourself a wifi router which includes it's own DNS Lithos Dec 2019 #4
wireless and internet CloudWatcher Dec 2019 #5
Any wifi router that has bridge mode will do it. JDC Dec 2019 #6
Consider one of these: discntnt_irny_srcsm Dec 2019 #7

ManiacJoe

(10,136 posts)
1. Not having tried this, but
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 04:27 PM
Dec 2019

I would think that any wireless router would work.
If there is a catch, it will probably be in the setup of the router to make it think that the internet connection is just "temporarily" missing.

5X

(3,988 posts)
2. I've seen smart phone controllable thermostats at Lowe's
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 04:29 PM
Dec 2019

and any decent wireless router will let you do the home network, no internet needed.

Lithos

(26,452 posts)
4. Buy yourself a wifi router which includes it's own DNS
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 04:46 PM
Dec 2019

Netgear N600 is a place to start. There are many similar ones around.

L-

CloudWatcher

(1,923 posts)
5. wireless and internet
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 05:08 PM
Dec 2019

Any wireless router will route local traffic with or without a link to the internet. And yes, DNS host name lookups will fail, but you wouldn't use those for local machines in any event.

Mac's (and iOS) have "Bonjour" to find local devices (independently of DNS), and I'm pretty sure you can get it on Windows & Android if you want it. You don't really have to have a local DNS server, but it might help keep things sane. Worst case is you get to configure a fixed IP address on the thermostat and printer and tell your other machines what IP address to use for them.

Be sure and set up both 2-gigabit and 5-gigabit wifi. The 5 is good for fast & nearby. But 2 works better for longer distances. You can pick the same WiFi name for both, and your devices "should" automatically switch to the stronger signal as you move around the house.

Btw geosync satellites can be used for internet, even way out in the boonies. They used to be really awful, but the recent ads I've been getting make them look a little more reasonable. Of course, not good for gaming. The latency to geo-sync and back is really slow. But for web browsing and occasional downloads, you might find them useful.

JDC

(10,486 posts)
6. Any wifi router that has bridge mode will do it.
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 05:56 PM
Dec 2019

The N600 mentioned above does. Just need to make sure you turn you phone hotspot on when you want to use that wifi for other devices. (Bridges and extended via the router)

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