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  

 

LAB 1.2.2.1 – TCP/IP NETWORK SETTINGS – ANSWERS

Step 2

1. Record your findings in the table below.  

Computer (Netbios) Name

W1-005

NT Domain Name

Domain1

Network Client Type

Client for Microsoft networks (and/or Novell Client)

NIC installed (driver name)

3-COM Fast Etherlink 10/100 (or other NIC mfg)

1st Protocol installed

TCP/IP

2nd Protocol installed

IPX/SPX compatible protocol (if there are Novell servers)

Other network components

 

Other network components

 

 Step 3  

1. Record your findings in the table below.  

TAB

Type of  Information

Findings

IP Addr.

How does the workstation get its IP address?

If “obtain IP address automatically” is selected then DHCP is enabled and you must use the WINIPCFG.EXE utility from step 3 to determine IP address and subnet mask.

IP Addr.

Workstation IP Address

175.38.227.122

IP Addr.

Workstation Subnet Mask

255.255.255.0

Gateway

Default Gateway

175.38.227.1

DNS Cfg.

Is DNS enabled?

Yes

DNS Cfg.

DNS Server IP address

175.38.227.10 (there may be more than 1)

WINS Cfg.

Is WINS enabled?

Yes

WINS Cfg.

WINS Server IP address

175.38.227.11

Step 4 

1. Record your findings in the table below (your answers will vary).

Workstation IP Address

175.38.227.122

Workstation Subnet Mask

255.255.255.0

Workstation MAC Address

00-08-C7-5B-A6-AB

Default Gateway

175.38.227.1

DHCP Server

175.38.227.15

DNS Server IP address

175.38.227.10 (may be more than 1)

WINS Server IP address

175.38.227.11 (primary & Secondary)

Step 5  

1.      Record your findings in the table below.

Network Adapter (NIC) Manufacturer

Compaq NC3120 Fast Ethernet NIC

Is the Network Adapter working properly?

Yes

Date of the Driver

4-23-99

List one of the driver files

E100BNT.SYS