Specifications
38
9.5 WINIPCFG
Windows WINIPCFG utility displays the current
configuration for each network adapter. From the start
menu open run dialog box. Type WINIPCFG. In
Windows 2000 enter the IPCONFIG command in a DOS
box.
WINIPCFG lets you examine each network adapter in
the computer. The first is the virtual adapter for dialup,
and then each network adapter is shown.
The first thing to check is if the computer has the correct
IP address. If the PC is supposed to obtain a dynamic
address from a DHCP server and instead it self-assigned
an AutoIP address you know the PC was unable to find
the DHCP server.
The Adapter Address is the hardware address assigned
to the physical network interface. For Ethernet this is a
48-bit Media Access Controller (MAC) address. The
Default Gateway tells IP software where to send packets
that are not on the local LAN. The DHCP server is the
address of the dynamic address server. DNS server
address is the address of the name server. In a simple
network DNS, Gateway and DHCP should all be the
address of the broadband router.
9.6 Ethernet Indicators
Ethernet cards, hubs and switches typically include a number of indicators that are very helpful
troubleshooting aids.
Indicator
Purpose
Link
Active connection between card and hub/switch
10/100Mbp/s
Indicates link speed
Full Duplex/Half duplex
Half duplex when used with a hub and full duplex with switch
Activity
Flashes during transmission or reception
Collision
Flashes when hub detects collision
If the Link indicator is not on the link is not working. This is most likely a cable fault or hardware failure of
the Ethernet adapter or hub.
Ethernet cards automatically determine if they should operate at 10 or 100Mbp/s. For 100Mbp/s operation
both sides must be capable of Fast Ethernet and wiring must meet Cat5 standards.
When using a hub collisions get worse at utilization grows. Occasional collisions are nothing to worry
about.
10 Browsing -- Wild Wild Web
All PCs use Microsoft IE5.5 or 6.
Key to effective use of the Internet is being able to find what you want. Our preferred search engine is
Google. They recently created a toolbar add on to IE. This allows search requests to be made directly from
IE.
Figure 25 WINIPCFG