Windows 2000 Administration in a Nutshell

Name

local-area connection

Synopsis

Configure, disable, enable, and monitor a local-area connection.

Procedures

Local-area connections do not need to be created manually since they are created automatically during Setup when Windows 2000 detects network adapters installed in the machine. They can, however, be configured, disabled, enabled, and monitored.

Tip

If you install a new Plug and Play network adapter in your computer, the next time you restart the machine the adapter will be detected and a local-area connection icon will be added for the adapter to the Network and Dial-up Connections window.

The tasks listed here (unless otherwise specified) assume that you have already opened the Network and Dial-up Connections window by:

Start → Settings → Network and Dial-up Connections

Configure a Local-Area Connection

Right-click on connection → Properties

If you have more than one network adapter in your computer, you can specify which device the connection uses. Be sure to choose to show the connection icon in the taskbar when connected as this makes it easier to monitor the connection.

Disable/Enable a Local-Area Connection

Either:

Double-click on connection → {Disable | Enable}

Right-click on connection icon in system tray (if enabled) → {Disable | Enable }

Disabling a local-area connection on a server may adversely affect users on the network who need to connect to that server for authentication of resources.

Monitor a Local-Area Connection

Either:

Right-click on connection → Status

Double-click ...