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SWITCHING NETWORK SETTINGS ON THE FLY.
There are three ways to switch a notebook
between networks with one click. First is to use a built-in windows
feature of saving and loading network settings. This way is for
experienced users. Second is by using Windows XP "alternate
configuration" feature. The third way is to use third-party utilities
like Net Profile Switch, IPSwitch etc. Let's discuss all three.
WINDOWS "NETSH" UTILITY.
Windows 2000 comes with the "netsh"
utility that gives you the possibility to "dump" all network settings
into a file which you can later use to restore your complete Network
settings.
To Save the current Settings use "netsh
-c interface dump >netset1.txt" To Load the Settings again use "netsh -f
netset1.txt"
Create a dump file for every Network
that you use (e.g.., netset2.txt, etc.) and create a desktop shortcut
for every Network.
Pros: - Cons: hard for inexperienced
users, does not deal with switching a proxy server in a web-browser,
mapping network drives etc.
WINDOWS XP "ALTERNATE CONFIGURATION"
FEATURE
Windows XP contains the "Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) properties" dialog box, which has a tab "Alternate
Configuration" in it. You can specify "alternative" settings, which
would be used when the "default" settings are not accessible.
Pros: simple Cons: does not deal with
three or more networks, no proxy switching etc.
"NET
PROFILE SWITCH" UTILITY
Another way is to use the "Net Profile
Switch" utility from Jitbit Software (http://www.jitbit.com/). This tool
creates a profile with your configuration settings, and you can easily
switch between locations by activating a profile with one click. Net
Profile Switch not only switches the TCP/IP protocol settings but also
switches the proxy-server settings of your Web Browser (Internet
Explorer or Firefox), Windows Firewall settings and maps/unmaps network
drives for each location. There a free non-commercial edition of this
tool available.
Pros: multiple locations, proxy
settings, drive mapping etc.
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