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Networking

By dlzillweger ·
Here's the problem: I have a new laptop pc with xp pro
and need to connect to two different networks. One is
Novell and the other is Windows Server 03. I have a
docking station at each location. One is located at our
missions office and the other is in a whole other office.
They each have their own static IP address. How can I
configure my system at startup or afterwards (with a
batch file or some type of client) to choose one or the
other without having to go in and change my tcp/ip
config every time? There has to be some kind of a
solution. I am a missionary and can't afford anything
expensive so can someone please help me out here?

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A few questions

by Michael Kassner Contributor In reply to Networking

First we need to learn a bit more about your networks.
1. When you refer to static IP addrs, are those what is referred to as public IP addrs or private?
2. What is the perimeter device (make and model) that is at both locations?
3. How secure does the remote connection have to be?
4. What are you planning to access on the remote computer?

There are several options available to you.
1. Setting up static routes in the default gateway i.e., perimeter device.
2. If applicable you could alter the host file on the computer to point to the appropriate address.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/172218

3. Use a third party freeware application similar to LogMeIn, which is a very simple way to get secure and safe control of remote computers.

https://secure.logmein.com/home.asp?lang=en

4. Some may mention using MS's Remote Desktop as an option, but it is not secure unless its traffic is sent through a VPN tunnel.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx

So, there are many options. With more information, the members will be able to focus on what would be the best option for your exact situation.

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Networking Rearticulated

by dlzillweger In reply to A few questions

I have one laptop pc that I connect via a docking station at
one office that runs Novell. I need to set up in Network
Connections an TCP/IP address to access files and the
internet on that network. Then the next day I need to go
to another office, where I have another docking station,
that runs Windows Server 2003 and setup in Network
Connections a different IP address to access files and the
internet on this network. Currently I have to go in and
change the settings in Network Connections TCP/IP config
every time to be able to access each local. I do not
connect remotely but on site. There has to be an easier
way. Is it possible to set up maybe hardware profiles?

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In XP you have another tab

by The Scummy One In reply to Networking

called "Alternate Configuration". Unless you need to be in a 3rd place as well, this should work fine for you.

Just set the IP info for your main network in local area connection properties, and setup the alternate configuration with the 2nd.

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Oops

by Michael Kassner Contributor In reply to Networking

Sorry, I mis-read the post. ScummyOne has the appropriate answer.

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If you ever need a batch file

by jimmy-jam In reply to Oops

Copy the following into a batch file. You will of cousre need to modify a few things to match your network. Note the 1 must be after the gateway just wanted to point that out as it is easy to miss. If you ever add a third or fourth location it would be easy to add additional sections of the file.

cls

@echo off

echo Which network would you like to connect to? (network1/network2)
set /p location=

if '%location%' == 'network1' goto net1
if '%location%' == 'network2' goto net2
cls

echo Please enter either network1 or network2
set /p location=

:net1
echo Please wait this may take up to a minute to complete.
netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static <ip address> <subnet> <gateway> 1
echo Thank you. You network interface has been configured
echo.
pause
exit

:net2
echo Please wait this may take up to a minute to complete.
netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" static <ip address> <subnet> <gateway> 1
echo Thank you. You network interface has been configured
echo.
pause
exit

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Further Help

by dlzillweger In reply to If you ever need a batch ...

Thanks Jimmy-Jam, I do have a couple of questions in
regards to the batch file. Please bear with me as it has
been a while since I ran dos commands and am rusty on
syntax.

in the batch file you have network1 or network2. Can I
name those so that if my colleague uses my system it
would easy for him to identify the location? Like Office or
Home?

Do I need to include in the syntax the <> symbols?

One other question? How would I set up, using this batch
to set my TCP/IP settings to Dynamic?

Thanks again for you help.

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Clarification

by jimmy-jam In reply to Further Help

Yes you can replace network1 and network2 with more friendly names. Also the user input is case sensitive so when I wrote this batch I also included and additional line to account for this possiblility. For example also add
if '%location%' == 'Network1' goto net1
in case you fear the user may capitalize the first letter.

You do not need to add the <> symbols just the actual address.
To set the interface to Dynamic use
netsh interface ip set address "Local Area Connection" dhcp

Does that make sense?

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Appreciation

by dlzillweger In reply to Clarification

Dear Jimmy-Jam,

Thanks so much for your help. Please forgive me as I have
been a little forgetful of late and forgot to ask about the DNS
entries. Do they need to be included in this batch? Lord's
blessings.

Doug Zillweger

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Add this

by jimmy-jam In reply to Appreciation

If you want to add the DNS add the following line(s)

netsh interface ip add dns "Local Area Connection" ip_address

You can add this line multiple times for multiple dns servers

or

netsh interface ip add dns "Local Area Connection" dhcp

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Well Done

by dlzillweger In reply to Add this

Jimmy Jam,

Well done sir. It works like a dream. thanks so much
Doug Zillweger

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