Configuring a PC (NIC) for a Network

Configuring a PC (NIC) for a Network

1. Click the Start ® Settings ® Control Panel.

2. From the Control Panel, double-click the Networks icon to open the Network window,

An alternative path to the Network window is right-clicking the Network Neighborhood icon and choosing Properties.

3. On the Configuration tab, double-click the adapter to open the Properties window for the NIC.

The Driver Type tab should indicate an Enhanced mode (32-bit and 16-bit) NDIS (Network Device Interface Specification) driver for the NIC. The other choices are for cards without 32-bit NDIS support or NICs requiring ODI (Open Data-Link Interface).

On the Bindings tab, you'll find a list of the protocols and services for which a binding is established. In most cases the bindings are preconfigured, but they can be modified. Binding is a network term for two protocols that perform different networking functions that have an active connection. If you are on an Ethernet network that has access to the Internet, your bindings will reflect your NIC card with a binding to TCP/IP protocols.

The contents of the Advanced tab vary by NIC and the characteristics of the network. The properties list may reflect the media and connector in use or it may be used to turn on a log file.

4. Click any Apply or OK buttons that appear.

You are asked for other network information, IP address, gateway, and DNS. The user or the network administrator should provide this information. The system will update its information database, and you may be asked to restart the system.