Lab 1.2.1.1 TCP/IP Network Settings

Estimated time: 45 min.

Objectives:

> This lab will focus on your ability to accomplish the following tasks:

> - Use the Windows Network Icon in the Control Panel to determine current network settings
> - Use the WINIPCFG.EXE utility (with Windows 95 or 98) to determine network settings
> - Identify the type of client software being used and record related settings
> - Determine the Computer name and Domain name
> - Determine the NIC manufacturer and driver
> - Identify what network (Layer 3) protocols are bound to the NIC (in use)
> - Determine the Internet Protocol (IP) Layer 3 address
> - Determine the subnet mask and IP address of the default gateway (router)
> - Determine whether Domain Name System (DNS) , Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) are being used and the IP addresses of the servers providing these services
> - Determine the Media Access Control (MAC) or hardware address of the workstation NIC
> - Use the Windows System Device Manager to verify that the NIC is working properly
> - Document all findings in this lab

Background:

> This lab will help you become familiar with the network settings required to connect your PC to a local area network and to gain access to the Internet (World Wide Web - WWW) and Intranet (internal local web servers). The purpose of this lab is to discover what your workstation's network settings are and how they are used. You will review Network Interface Card (NIC) configuration and drivers and TCP/IP protocol settings for a typical Windows client workstation in a server-based Ethernet network. This information is very valuable any time you have a problem logging onto a network or when you must set up a new workstation. This lab will focus on the Windows 95 or 98 client.

Tools / Preparation:

> This is a hands-on lab. Before you begin, the teacher or lab assistant will have a typical desktop Pentium-based (or comparable) PC available. The desktop policies must be set to allow access to the Network icon in control panel and either the Run Command or the DOS Command Prompt in order to run the WINIPCFG.EXE utility. The PC should be a classroom/lab computer configured to access the Web-based Cisco curriculum and assessment system. You may work individually or in teams. The following resources will be required:

> - PC workstation with monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cords
> - Windows operating system (Win 95, 98, NT or 2000) installed on PC
> - NIC installed and Cat 5 patch cable with connection to the Internet
> - Browser software installed (Netscape Navigator 4.6.1 or higher or Internet Explorer 5.1 or higher)
> - Java, JavaScript, and Style Sheets (must be enabled in your browser's preference settings)
> - Flash plug-in (Curriculum version 2.1 only)
> - Apple QuickTime, RealPlayer G2 and Shockwave Macromedia browser plug-ins (Curriculum version 1 and 2 only)

Notes:

Step 1 – Determine the network settings for your workstation.

> Task: Boot (start) the PC, log in to the network and use the following procedures to determine the network settings for your workstation.

> Explanation: The primary tools you will use for gathering this information are:

> 1. the Network Icon in control panel
> 2. the WINIPCFG.EXE utility (Windows 95 or 98) or IPCONFIG.EXE (Windows NT)
> 3. the System Icon in control panel.

> You will use these tools to verify your network settings and that the NIC is functioning properly. The following procedures focus primarily on a Windows NT server-based network. Answers will vary depending on the PC you are using and the network you are on.

Step 2 – Use Control Panel / Network to determine the Workstation Computer name, NT Domain name, Network Client, the network Layer 3 protocols in use, and information about the NIC.

> Task:

Click on Start, select Settings and then Control Panel. Double click the Network icon. Click the Identification Tab at the top of the window to find the Computer name and the Domain name (Windows NT). Click the Configuration Tab and note what networking components are installed.

Explanation:

The Network Client has an icon that looks like a computer, the NIC icon looks like a NIC and the Protocols have an icon that looks like a network cable connection. There may be more than one of each of these.

1. Record your findings in the table below.

Component (NetBIOS) Name |
NT Domain Name |
Network Client Type |
NIC installed (driver name) |
1st Protocol installed |
2nd Protocol installed |
Other network components |
Other network components |

Step 3 – Use Control Panel / Network to check the TCP/IP related settings such IP address information, DHCP and DNS.

> Task:

Click on the TCP/IP protocol while on the Network Configuration Tab and then click PROPERTIES.

Explanation: Click on the Tab indicated in the table and record your findings below.

1. Record your findings in the table below.

TAB | Type of Information | Findings
IP Addr. | How does the workstation get its IP Address |
IP Addr. | Workstation IP Address |
IP Addr. | Workstation Subnet Mask |
Gateway | Default Gateway |
DNS Cfg. | Is DNS enabled? |
DNS Cfg. | DNS Server IP Address |
WINS Cfg. | Is WINS enabled? |
WINS Cfg. | WINS Server IP Address |

Step – 4 Using WINIPCFG.EXE utility

> Task:

You can run WINIPCFG.EXE from the Start / Run command or from the DOS command prompt (IPCONFIG.EXE must be run from the DOS prompt). This exercise will focus on the WINIPCFG.EXE utility. To run it from the Start menu Click on Start and Run, then type in WINIPCFG in the window. To run it from the DOS prompt, click Start, Programs, MS DOS Prompt and then type WINIPCFG at the command line. If you enter WINIPCFG /ALL (be sure to put a space between WINIPCFG and /ALL) you will get much more information.

Explanation:

The WINIPCFG.EXE utility can also be used to check TCP/IP related settings as well as the MAC address of the NIC installed (also called the hardware address). When the TCP/IP protocol is installed on Windows 95 or 98, the graphical WINIPCFG.EXE utility is included with it. Windows NT uses a different utility, IPCONFIG.EXE, to give similar results. If your workstation obtains it's IP address automatically (a DHCP client) you must use one of these utilities to determine it's IP address and subnet mask. Be sure to select the proper NIC or Ethernet adapter (this will be in a pull-down box).

1. Record your findings in the table below.

Workstation IP Address |
Workstation Subnet Mask |
Workstation MAC Address |
Default Gateway (Router) |
DHCP Server |
DNS Server IP Address |
WINS Server IP Address |

Step 5 – Use Control Panel / System / Device Manager to verify that the NIC and drivers are functioning properly.

> Task:

Click on Start, select Settings and then Control Panel. Double–click the System icon, click the Device Manager Tab at the top of the window and then click the plus sign on the Network Adapter icon. Select the desired adapter and click properties. Click the General Tab to see the Adapter Manufacturer and check the status. Click on the Driver Tab to see the version of the driver and files being used.

Explanation:

You can also find the operating system version, the CPU type and the amount of RAM installed.

1. Record you findings in the table below.

> Network Adapter (NIC) Manufacturer |
> Is the Network Adapter Working properly? |
> Date of the Driver |
> List one of the Driver Files |