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Hardware Profiles?

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7 replies

by ja_seaton

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Ive got a laptop running Windows XP Professional which is used on the road and at two different sites that have port replicators. While on the road, the laptop connects to the internet using a dialup connection. No problems with that. The network card does not come into play while the computer is undocked.

But each of the sites with a docking station has a different way of connecting to the network and internet.

Site A has static IPs and connects to the internet through manual settings; it connects to a router and a t1). It is just on a workgroup with a few other people.

Site B has a DHCP server and a different IP range than Site A. Also the internet connection is through a NAT server which is just the automatic default gateway given out by the scope. Site B also has a Windows 2000 domain which I would like to login to while docked there.

Can I use hardware profiles in Windows XP to be able to choose a different set of network settings at Windows startup? How would I go about doing this? The person using this computer is not computer literate enough to change all their IP settings when they move from one site to another; but they can select from a menu of profiles.

Thanks in advance.

7 replies

by thechas

I don't believe that you need to get that complicated to make this work.
Also, the main purpose of hardware profiles is to restrict users from certian hardware.
Since the hardware is the same, I don't believe that you can get where you want to be with hardware profiles.

Create 3 different user accounts with the only difference being how they connect to the network / internet.
The tough part here will be setting up the accounts to share the same Documents, mail and favorites files.

Chas

by ann777

Why not just download and install NetSwitcher software? It's only $14 / user and will allow you on boot, to connect to any number of preconfigured networks.

see:

www.netswitcher.com

by phil.hall

Easy answer: set the laptop for DHCP (for site A), but under the alternate settings control for LAN networks, put in the IP information for site B. If the DHCP isn't available (like at site B) then the alternate configuration will take over. And while you're on the road the modem does it's thing independently.

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