Network management in Windows 7 RC

by Igor Baydyuk
(Ukraine)

First of all, network manager was possibly a good idea, but the implementation is pretty stupid.

I’ve tried to configure simple case where my PC should be a workstation and internet gate for small home network.

Second PC is WinXP, so no homegroups (idea is also possibly good, but as always impl is stupid).

Since my PC is a default gateway in home network, it has no gateway stated on local ethernet adapter.

And do you know what? I cannot set this network location to home!

As for group policies, they just don’t work.

Please, review this use case. I don’t think it’s wise to force home users to buy server OSes just for such simple purposes as small home internet gateway.

Also, maybe you should extend your system to something like network profiles, i.e. currently, as I understand, PC works in either Public or Home mode, but it can apply Public settings to one network and Home ones in a time.