Computer to Network Connection

Wireless and Wired Router Configurations

When all devices are connected and all link lights are functioning, test the network for connectivity. This test can determine if you are connected to a wireless access point, home gateway, or the Internet. The easiest way to test for an Internet connection is to open a web browser and see if the Internet is available. To troubleshoot a wireless connection, you can use the Windows GUI or CLI.

To verify a wireless connection in Windows 7, use the following path:

Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Then double-click Wireless Network Connection to display the status screen.

To verify a wireless connection in Windows Vista, use the following path:

Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections. Then double-click Wireless Network Connection to display the status screen.

To verify a wireless connection in Windows XP, use the following path:

Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Then double-click Wireless Network Connection to display the status screen.

The Wireless Network Connection Status window, as shown in the figure, displays whether the computer is connected to the Internet, along with the duration of the connection. It also shows the number of sent and received bytes.

For either Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click the Details button. The Connection Status information includes either a static address or a dynamic address. The subnet mask, default gateway, MAC address, and other information about the IP address are also listed. If the connection is not functioning correctly, click Diagnose to reset the connection information and attempt to establish a new connection.

For Windows XP, to display the Address Type, click the Support tab. The Connection Status information includes either a static address, which is assigned manually, or a dynamic address, which is assigned by a DHCP server. The subnet mask and default gateway are also listed. To access the MAC address and other information about the IP address, click Details. If the connection is not functioning correctly, click Repair to reset the connection information and attempt to establish a new connection.

To view more information about local wireless networks before connecting, you may need to use a wireless locator. Wireless locators are software utilities that allow a user to see SSID broadcasts, encryptions, channels and locations of wireless networks in the immediate area.