how do I choose which network connection to use?

[q_q_anonymous]

I have a LAN NIC and a dial up modem. Say I connect with both. Then my
dial up becomes my default. i.e. when I browse the web, it uses dial
up.

Fine.
But how do I choose which to use?

I heard that w2k has an' adaptor and bindings' menu somewhere that does
it, and you can assign a metric. Though, I use Win XP.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a LAN NIC and a dial up modem. Say I connect with both. Then my
dial up becomes my default. i.e. when I browse the web, it uses dial
up.

Fine.
But how do I choose which to use?

I heard that w2k has an' adaptor and bindings' menu somewhere that does
it, and you can assign a metric. Though, I use Win XP.

This answer applies to all versions of Windows. When multiple network
connections can access the Internet, Windows uses the one with the
lowest metric value for its associated default route.

By default, Windows uses a dial-up connection instead of a LAN
connection, because when you establish a dial-up connection:

1. It adds 1 to the metric of a LAN connection's default route.

2. It sets the metric of the dial-up connection's default route to 1.

To make Windows use the LAN connection when both connections are
active, you can:

1. Use the "route print" command to view the default routes for both
connections, noting the each one's default gateway address.

2. Use the "route delete" command to delete the default routes.

3. Use the "route add" command to create a default route for the
connection that you want to use.

For example, if the LAN gateway is 192.168.0.1 and the dial-up gateway
is 1.2.3.4, these commands would make Windows use the LAN connection
for Internet access:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1

These commands would make it use the dial-up connection again:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 1.2.3.4

If you want both default routes to be active, you can assign the
desired metric to each. For example, this would make Windows use the
LAN connection:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1 metric 1
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 1.2.3.4 metric 2
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[q_q_anonymous]

This answer applies to all versions of Windows. When multiple network
connections can access the Internet, Windows uses the one with the
lowest metric value for its associated default route.

By default, Windows uses a dial-up connection instead of a LAN
connection, because when you establish a dial-up connection:

1. It adds 1 to the metric of a LAN connection's default route.

2. It sets the metric of the dial-up connection's default route to 1.

To make Windows use the LAN connection when both connections are
active, you can:

1. Use the "route print" command to view the default routes for both
connections, noting the each one's default gateway address.

2. Use the "route delete" command to delete the default routes.

3. Use the "route add" command to create a default route for the
connection that you want to use.

For example, if the LAN gateway is 192.168.0.1 and the dial-up gateway
is 1.2.3.4, these commands would make Windows use the LAN connection
for Internet access:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1

These commands would make it use the dial-up connection again:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 1.2.3.4

If you want both default routes to be active, you can assign the
desired metric to each. For example, this would make Windows use the
LAN connection:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1 metric 1
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 1.2.3.4 metric 2

thanks, that works nicely

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

thanks, that works nicely

You're welcome. Since my first message, I've thought of a slightly
simpler way to do it. This command:

route change 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1

does the same thing as these two commands:

route delete 0.0.0.0
route add 0.0.0.0 mask 0.0.0.0 192.168.0.1
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com