Configuring your Local Area Network Connection in Windows XP

Whether or not you will need to configure your ethernet connection really depends on if you are using a DHCP server or not. If you are using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and the properties of the connection on your PC have not been previously edited then the chances are that the computer is already set to obtain an IP address automatically and can simply be plugged into the network. If you prefer or need to specify your IP address then it really is quite a simple task.

Navigate to Network connections as described in XP Network Connections. What view is applied to Network Connections will determine exactly how your icons appear but one will definetely be labelled Local Area Connection if you have NIC installed and the appropriate drivers for it loaded. Double left click on this with your mouse.



On the local Area Network Status box click on the properties button you can see on the lower left hand corner as pictured above left. The computer will then display the local Area Connection Properties box as pictured above right. You will see in the middle This Connection uses the following items, scroll down until you find Internet Protocol TCP/IP and double left click on it. Alternately you may highlight it by clicking on it once and then clicking the properties button.

You should now have the Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties box in front of you and this is where we can set a static IP address (one that doesnt change) or elect to use DHCP. If you intend to use DHCP all you need to do is ensure that the little circles next to Obtain an IP Address Automatically and Obtain DNS Server Addresses Automatically have a little dot in them showing that they are selected. If you have elected to set your IP address then click on Use the Following IP Address and Use the Following DNS Server Addresses (which will put the little spot in the circles next to them) and the IP address and nameserver address fields will become available so you can fill them out. If your not sure what to put in there consider reading our Basic Networking Section .

Once your satisfied with your settings click ok on the bottom of the TCP/IP Properties box, click ok on the Local Area Connection Properties box and close off the the Local Area Connection Status box and you are done.