How to do multiple network connections for multiple locations

[Ken Leonard]

Howdy;

I have WinXP on a Dell 8600 laptopper.

I am now using the system in two locations (one is my home) with
wireless LANs and will soon be using it in at least one more location.

How do I convince WinXP to define a distinct Network Connection for
each location? The locations will have somewhat different IP
parameters and significant differences in what protocols (like NetBIOS
on IP) I wish to have.

I can't seem to get the Network Connection Wizard or the Network Setup
Wizard to define the second and third Network Connections. Is there
some place in the Help system which addresses the process of defining
these multiple, location-dependent connections in a straightforward
way?

Am I just missing something obvious?

Thanx and regardz,
Ken

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Ken Leonard
(e-mail address removed) [Edit it to make it work.]

 

[Rob Elder MVP-Networking]

You don't need to do anything if the network are workgrups. Just make sure
your IP address is set to obtain automatically.

 

[Ken Leonard]

Rob;

1 -- I don't know what you mean by "if the networks are workgroups".
Nothing that I can see in the Properties of a Network Connection refer
to a Workgroup. I do have my at-home Workgroup name in the Computer
Name tab of my System Properties.

2 -- All of the networks run DHCP, so "obtain IP address
automatically" applies to all of them.

3 -- I originally defined a Network Connection for my at-home wireless
LAN, with WEP (long key), behind my LinkSys firewall/router/WAP.

4 -- I took the system to my college campus and the Network Connection
I had defined hooked itself up to the campus wireless LAN faster than
I could blink. It should not have done that, I think? I sure as heck
didn't want it to do that.

I had no opportunity to define a separate Network Connection and when
I tried to use the Wizards to define a separate Network Connection I
got nowhere.

I need to define the at-campus connection to use the WinXP internal
firewall, which I neither need nor want behind the LinkSys firewall on
my home LAN.

5 -- I will soon be taking my system to another campus where I will
need a setup (again) not the same as at home and possibly not the same
as at the present campus.

6 -- So I'm back to the basic question: How do I tell WinXP to define
another, additional, alternative-use Network Connection? ...and
another 'nother?

Thanx,
Ken

You don't need to do anything if the network are workgrups. Just make sure
your IP address is set to obtain automatically.

Howdy;

I have WinXP on a Dell 8600 laptopper.

I am now using the system in two locations (one is my home) with
wireless LANs and will soon be using it in at least one more location.

How do I convince WinXP to define a distinct Network Connection for
each location? The locations will have somewhat different IP
parameters and significant differences in what protocols (like NetBIOS
on IP) I wish to have.

I can't seem to get the Network Connection Wizard or the Network Setup
Wizard to define the second and third Network Connections. Is there
some place in the Help system which addresses the process of defining
these multiple, location-dependent connections in a straightforward
way?

Am I just missing something obvious?

Thanx and regardz,
Ken

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ken Leonard
(e-mail address removed) [Edit it to make it work.]

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Ken Leonard
(e-mail address removed) [Edit it to make it work.]

 

[Thomas Cloud]

Your might have to buy a wireless network card, either PC-card or USB,
for each campus, and disable the onboard wireless interface before you
leave home. This is not a very elegant solution, but Windows will
recognize each card as a distinct network connection and allow you to
set it up independently.

 

[Thomas Cloud]

PS: The cost might not be that high. pcclub.com has Gigafast
wireless cards, either USB or PC-card, for $20. I have used one of
each for several months and they work fine.

 

[Ken Leonard]

Hi!

Hummmmmffff!

I thot that a big part of the reason I laid out all the $$$ for XP Pro
was to have a portable system?

Norton Internet Security is smart enuf to look down/around the IP
protocol stack and see the router/gateway. MAC address at the "other
end" of _whatever_ wired or wireless link is active at the moment. It
is then smart enuf to regard connections to different routers/gateways
(at different places) as different networks/connections. Doh!

Why the heck can't XP Pro do the same simple distinction for its idea
of "connections"?

Rgdz,
Ken

Your might have to buy a wireless network card, either PC-card or USB,
for each campus, and disable the onboard wireless interface before you
leave home. This is not a very elegant solution, but Windows will
recognize each card as a distinct network connection and allow you to
set it up independently.

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Ken Leonard
(e-mail address removed) [Edit it to make it work.]