network connectivity with windows xp

Hi, I know I am in the wrong section, but there isnt a windows xp section. I need to know how to connect to my network using windows xp. In windows 95/98 you enter in the details of the tcp/ip address,default gateway and under client for microsoft network you enter in the domain, and when you restart the machine, you get a screen for username,password and with the default domain name. So how do I do this on XP. Any help would be grateful.
Thanks

Dave