Multiple Network Environments

[sAYk]

I have an HP Pavilion ZE5400 laptop, as a QC Auditor I'm constantly visiting
different factories every day, I visit a total of 3 to 4 factories which I'm
assign to, I have all the necessary parameters (IP, Gateway, Subnet, DNS,
etc) to log-in to the Factory's LAN & Internet Access from all the different
factories. The problem is that each time I go to a different factory I spend
around 20+ min. to get the network working, as you can imagine this is very
frustrating, in occasions I visit the 4 factories in on day and spend most
of the time re-configuring the TCP/IP parameters, I don't know if it's only
me but WinXP usually never detects the Network on the first try (Reboot) I
usually Reboot around 3 times to get the network running, and sometimes I
get tire of trying and leave the system for a while, surprisingly when I
come back to the system after a while the network is already working.

Please note that all the factory network have workgroup topology, no need to
log in to any Domain.

Can anyone suggest a better way to handle this particular situation, this
newsgroup is my last option and hope you guys can help.

Specs.:
OS - WinXp Home Edition SP1
NIC - National Semiconductor Corp. 10/100


Regards,

sAYk

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have an HP Pavilion ZE5400 laptop, as a QC Auditor I'm constantly visiting
different factories every day, I visit a total of 3 to 4 factories which I'm
assign to, I have all the necessary parameters (IP, Gateway, Subnet, DNS,
etc) to log-in to the Factory's LAN & Internet Access from all the different
factories. The problem is that each time I go to a different factory I spend
around 20+ min. to get the network working, as you can imagine this is very
frustrating, in occasions I visit the 4 factories in on day and spend most
of the time re-configuring the TCP/IP parameters, I don't know if it's only
me but WinXP usually never detects the Network on the first try (Reboot) I
usually Reboot around 3 times to get the network running, and sometimes I
get tire of trying and leave the system for a while, surprisingly when I
come back to the system after a while the network is already working.

Please note that all the factory network have workgroup topology, no need to
log in to any Domain.

Can anyone suggest a better way to handle this particular situation, this
newsgroup is my last option and hope you guys can help.

Specs.:
OS - WinXp Home Edition SP1
NIC - National Semiconductor Corp. 10/100


Regards,

sAYk

These programs let you store multiple network configurations and
switch between them easily:

NetSwitcher
http://www.netswitcher.com

MultiNetwork Manager
http://www.globesoft.com/mnm_home.html
--
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

 

[sAYk]

Thanks Steve,

I will give them a try, I'll let you know how it go.

Rgds,

sAYk

 

[Bill Castner]

I like Steve's suggestions. One that is my current favorite is worth
your attention as well: Mobile Net Switch
http://www.mobilenetswitch.com/

What I like is that you can store, in encrypted form, alternate
permissions, so that if you visit a Domain you can pass Domain
Administrator credentials without revealing them to the end user.

Best,
Bill Castner

 

[sAYk]

Mobile Net Switch looks alright also, will give them all a try,

Thanks!

 

[sAYk]

From some one who has try the 3 software, can some suggest the best one from
this three?

- NetSwitcher
- MultiNetwork Manager
- Mobile Net Switch