I have 2 computers on the same router:

1) Grid Computer: Kubuntu 14.04 64 bit. It is always on and used only for online grid computing projects.
2) Regular Computer: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. It is only turned on when I want to check email, online banking, etc.

I want to keep both physically plugged into the same router but I don't want either computer to send data to the other. I also don't want either computer to receive data from the other. Simply put, I don't want these 2 computers to have any contact with each other even though both are on the same router.

What are my options?

I don't want to physically unplug and plug Ethernet (I only use wired connection) cables each time I need my Windows computer. That is too cumbersome and I will inevitably forget it.

What are my options?

Thank you for your time.

Well assuming you have a generic home router and you don't want to flash or alter the router in any way I would just set a static address on each box then use the firewalls provided by the operating systems to block all traffic from the opposite box.

Travis

OK, so as a followup, how would I do so? Sorry, I am not very tech smart.

It looks like:

a) establish static address for each box

b) establish firewall rules for each machine

I've never done so. Is doing so hard? Are there guides or instructions? I am not even sure what I would input into google to do a "google search" for more information.

I appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Well for example lets say
Linux box has a static IP of 192.168.1.10
Win 7 box has a static IP of 192.168.1.20

On the Linux box to isolate it from the Windows machine try these commands in a shell.

Then save for reboot

As for as the windows box try google for " How to block private IP on windows 7 firewall"

Hope that helps some.

Travis

In a real sense you can't have internet access to both and not connect between the two. All internet computers can access the others for the most part.

@jefro Would you elaborate? I was just trying to provide a simple solution in his home environment. Assuming he maintained control of both boxes where IP and MAC addresses stayed the same, where no one was trying to deliberately connect or change configurations, and he had his edge router configured properly.

I just want to protect my Windows computer and its data from the Linux one. I run Linux and BOINC 24 hours a day on it. Although BOINC has no reported history of breaches, I am still concerned because afterall, I am letting a 3rd party program (BOINC) have free reign on the Linux box.

My fear is that a BOINC related weakness is found on my linux box and from that, someone could remotely get into my Windows box that is on the same router (network).

Thus, I want to isolate the two computers as much as possible. Eventually I will add a 3rd computer (wired connection to a laptop) but for now, I want to keep it simple by learning how to isolate these two desktops.

OK, quick follow-up: How do I "assign" an IP address to a computer? I know there is a website that will display my IP but how would I "assign" a static IP?