Wired connection without internet

Hey guys,

Hopefully this is a quick and simple question.

I'm running F17 and I need to connect my machine to a local group of computers tied together with a network switch. I have a wireless connection that has internet access, but I'd also like my wired connection to these other machines so I can send UDP packets to them.

When I attempt to activate the wired connection from the network settings UI, it reads "Connecting..." for a while, fails to connect to the internet (because there is no internet connectivity on this switch) and disconnects my wired interface.

If I connect this switch to my modem with outbound internet connectivity, the wired network stays connected and allows me to mess with interface settings. Further, if I then unplug the internet connection from this switch, I lose internet connectivity on this interface but the wired connection stays active and allows me to send UDP packets to the other machines connected to the switch.

How do I activate my wired interface without active internet connectivity?

-Griff