Having a laptop or notebook computer provides the freedom to be truly mobile. You can work in many places and situations. But this brings a nuisance if you move your laptop between various different networks, always change the configuration of the network.

Recently my boss has given me a brand new notebook. When I got home late in the day, I had to disable DHCP, set an IP address and DNS settings. The next morning, to reverse the configuration me to work in my office. The real pain started when I went to our customer site …

SWITCHING network configuration on the fly.

There are three ways to change a pad between the networks with a single click. First is to use a Windows function integrated saving and loading the network settings. This way is for experienced users. The second is by using Windows XP "alternate configuration" feature. The third way is to use third-party utilities as Net Profile Switch, Ipswitch etc. Let's talk about three.

Files "netsh" utility.

Windows 2000 comes with netsh "utility that gives you the chance to "dump" all the network settings in a file that can then be used to restore your entire network configuration.

To save the current settings use "netsh-c interface dump> netset1.txt"
To load the new configuration using "netsh-f netset1.txt"

Create a dump file for all nets used (eg netset2.txt, etc.) and create a desktop shortcut for each network.

Pros: —
Cons: difficult for inexperienced users, not about changing a proxy server in a browser, mapping network drives, etc.

Windows XP "Alternate Configuration" SPECIAL

Windows XP contains the "Internet Protocol (TCP / IP)" dialog box, which has a tab "Alternate Configuration" in it. You can specify "alternative" settings, which is used when the "default" settings are not accessible.

Pros: simple
Disadvantages: does not deal with three or more networks without changing proxy mode, etc.

"Net Profile Switch" utility

Another way is to use the "Net Profile Switch" utility Jitbit Software (http://www.jitbit.com/). This tool creates a profile with the settings, and you can easily switch between locations by activating a profile with a single click. Net Profile Switch not only changes the TCP / IP configuration, but also changes the proxy settings of your web browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox), configuration Windows Firewall and maps / unmaps network drives for each location. There is a free non-commercial edition of this tool available.

Pros: multiple locations proxy settings, drive mapping, etc.

Alexander Lee is an IT-consultant, Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Database Administrator.

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