Unidentified Network – Local Only Access

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Alternate title: Unable to Connect to the Internet

OS: Windows Vista Business

Router: Linksys BEFSR41, and Cisco

Problem Description

  • Upon connecting to a new network, “Access” in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is “Local Only” instead of “Local and Internet.”
  • Windows Vista firewall is enabled, but no recent changes were made
  • System connects to the Internet on previously known networks
  • System is set to “Obtain IP address Automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically”
  • System gets a valid IP address lease from the DHCP server
  • System can ping other devices on the LAN but not on the WAN
  • No new software or updates installed prior to failure
  • Setting a static IP address may allow connection to the Internet
  • No viruses or other malware detected on system

Error Messages or Behavior

  • “Access” in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is “Local Only” instead of “Local and Internet.”
  • “Access” in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is “Local and Internet” but you still cannot connect to the Internet.

Resolution: If you receive a proper IP address

If your computer received an IP address in the proper range from your DHCP server, then the problem may be an issue with IPv6 on your network.

  • Try disabling IPv6

Resolution: If you did not receive a proper IP address

If your computer did not receive an IP address in the proper range for from your DHCP server, then the problem may be that your computer is not receiving a response from the DHCP server. If your IP address starts with 169.x.x.x, then this is the case.

This issue occurs because of a difference in design between Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Specifically, in Windows XP SP2, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is set to 0 (disabled). In Windows Vista, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is not disabled. Therefore, some routers and some non-Microsoft DHCP servers cannot process the DHCP discovery packets.

To resolve the issue you’ll need to edit the registry in Vista to disable the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets. See Microsoft KB Article: 928233.

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit)
  2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}

    In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey that corresponds to the network adapter that is connected to the network.

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. In the New Value #1 box, type DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then press ENTER.
  5. Right-click DhcpConnEnableBcastFlagToggle, and then click Modify.
  6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  7. Close Registry Editor.

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