| Subject: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 7/24/2008 4:00:19 AM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
This is the scenario: our IT made it a policy to issue static IPs to employees. So we configure both LAN and wireless IP configs with a given IP addresses, gateways, DNS, etc. However, most of us are mobile and when we connect to wireless and ethernet LANs outside the company, we want to be able to EASILY switch between static configs and dynamic configuration. This may not be such a big problem with Wifi but with LAN it is because I find myself having to manually change from static to dynamic everytime. Also, I want the system to be able to remember the settings like a network profile so I can easily switch to the specific network configuration depending on where I am, eg HOME, CLIENT1, CLIENT2, OFFICE, etc. How can do this in Vista networking? |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 7/24/2008 8:06:41 PM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
I'm actually using Thinkvantage Access Connections but I would like to know if this is natively supported in Vista so I don't have to use 3rd party apps. On Jul 24, 7:33=A0pm, "Sooner Al [MVP]" <Soone...@somewhere.net.invalid> wrote: > "Gizzo" <gbacar...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:3644b11a-66f4-4aa4-aa7a-90c49db8dc4f@z6g2000pre.googlegroups.com... > > > This is the scenario: our IT made it a policy to issue static IPs to > > employees. So we configure both LAN and wireless IP configs with a > > given IP addresses, gateways, DNS, etc. However, most of us are mobile > > and when we connect to wireless and ethernet LANs outside the company, > > we want to be able to EASILY switch between static configs and dynamic > > configuration. This may not be such a big problem with Wifi but with > > LAN it is because I find myself having to manually change from static > > to dynamic everytime. Also, I want the system to be able to remember > > the settings like a network profile so I can easily switch to the > > specific network configuration depending on where I am, eg HOME, > > CLIENT1, CLIENT2, OFFICE, etc. > > > How can do this in Vista networking? > > You might look at NetSwitcher... > > http://www.netswitcher.com > > -- > > Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience) > > Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the > mutual benefit of all of us... > The MS-MVP Program -http://mvp.support.microsoft.com > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no > rights... > How to ask a questionhttp://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375 |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 7/25/2008 5:28:42 AM |
| From: Malke [Email Address Protection] |
Gizzo wrote: > I'm actually using Thinkvantage Access Connections but I would like to > know if this is natively supported in Vista so I don't have to use 3rd > party apps. It is natively supported in Vista as it was in XP to be able to switch between one static IP address setting and one dynamic IP address setting. This is done with the Alternate Configuration. You can enable the Alternate Configuration feature in Vista using the following steps: 1. Click Start, right click Network and click Properties. 2. Select Manage network connections. 3. Right click your network connection and click Properties 4. From the list of network components, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click the Properties button. 5. From the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window select the Alternate Configuration tab. Specify the IP parameters that should be used should the primary IP configuration fail. If you don't see the Alternate Configuration tab, set the IP for DHCP (automatic IP/DNS assignment) first. The Alternate Configuration tab will then appear. If you don't want to wait for the first step to time out (when it doesn't find the DHCP server) and switch to the Alternate Configuration OR you have more than one network you want to set up, use third-party utilities. The Thinkvantage Access Connections is actually quite good and useful. Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/5/2008 2:33:55 AM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
Thanks for the help. it worked! now i uninstalled ThinkVantage's Access Connections. However, I've been getting problems whenever I undock the PC, go somewhere, dock. Instead of remembering the alternative IP I specified, Vista places what seems like random stuff: IP: 169.254.77.37 (supposed to be 10.11.2.xxx) Subnet:255.255.0.0 (stb 255.255.254.0) Gateway: blank DNS: correct any clues as to why this occurs? this is really a problem because i find myself having to reboot everytime i undock and dock again. really appreciate your help. thanks On Jul 25, 8:28=A0pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > Gizzo wrote: > > I'm actually using Thinkvantage Access Connections but I would like to > > know if this is natively supported in Vista so I don't have to use 3rd > > party apps. > > It is natively supported in Vista as it was in XP to be able to switch > between one static IP address setting and one dynamic IP address setting. > This is done with the Alternate Configuration. > > You can enable the Alternate Configuration feature in Vista using the > following steps: > > =A0 =A01. Click Start, right click Network and click Properties. > =A0 =A02. Select Manage network connections. > =A0 =A03. Right click your network connection and click Properties > =A0 =A04. From the list of network components, select Internet Protocol (= TCP/IP) > and click the Properties button. > =A0 =A05. From the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window select th= e > Alternate Configuration tab. > > Specify the IP parameters that should be used should the primary IP > configuration fail. If you don't see the Alternate Configuration tab, set > the IP for DHCP (automatic IP/DNS assignment) first. The Alternate > Configuration tab will then appear. > > If you don't want to wait for the first step to time out (when it doesn't > find the DHCP server) and switch to the Alternate Configuration OR you ha= ve > more than one network you want to set up, use third-party utilities. The > Thinkvantage Access Connections is actually quite good and useful. > > Malke > -- > MS-MVP > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/5/2008 6:20:21 AM |
| From: Malke [Email Address Protection] |
Gizzo wrote: > Thanks for the help. it worked! now i uninstalled ThinkVantage's > Access Connections. > > However, I've been getting problems whenever I undock the PC, go > somewhere, dock. Instead of remembering the alternative IP I > specified, Vista places what seems like random stuff: > > IP: 169.254.77.37 (supposed to be 10.11.2.xxx) > Subnet:255.255.0.0 (stb 255.255.254.0) > Gateway: blank > DNS: correct > > any clues as to why this occurs? this is really a problem because i > find myself having to reboot everytime i undock and dock again. The 169.* address is because your computer can't get an IP address from the DHCP server. This isn't "random stuff". Since I have no idea what is providing DHCP at your new location, I can't guess. Personally, I would have kept the ThinkVantage. I thought you needed to turn off the computer to undock safely anyway. Apparently you aren't doing this. Check with Lenovo tech support or look at your computer manual to see how to safely undock/dock. If it is OK to undock by just putting the machine to sleep (eg., closing the lid), then you will need to release the IP address - or turn off the wireless networking if you're connecting wirelessly - before you do this. Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/6/2008 1:12:27 AM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh start up. As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safely undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality and both works perfectly. the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from a fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want to know why and how to resolve it. On Aug 5, 9:20=A0pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > Gizzo wrote: > > Thanks for the help. it worked! now i uninstalled ThinkVantage's > > Access Connections. > > > However, I've been getting problems whenever I undock the PC, go > > somewhere, dock. Instead of remembering the alternative IP I > > specified, Vista places what seems like random stuff: > > > IP: 169.254.77.37 (supposed to be 10.11.2.xxx) > > Subnet:255.255.0.0 (stb 255.255.254.0) > > Gateway: blank > > DNS: correct > > > any clues as to why this occurs? this is really a problem because i > > find myself having to reboot everytime i undock and dock again. > > The 169.* address is because your computer can't get an IP address from t= he > DHCP server. =A0This isn't "random stuff". Since I have no idea what is > providing DHCP at your new location, I can't guess. Personally, I would > have kept the ThinkVantage. > > I thought you needed to turn off the computer to undock safely anyway. > Apparently you aren't doing this. Check with Lenovo tech support or look = at > your computer manual to see how to safely undock/dock. If it is OK to > undock by just putting the machine to sleep (eg., closing the lid), then > you will need to release the IP address - or turn off the wireless > networking if you're connecting wirelessly - before you do this. > > Malke > -- > MS-MVP > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/6/2008 6:58:38 AM |
| From: Malke [Email Address Protection] |
Gizzo wrote: > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh > start up. > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safely > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > and both works perfectly. > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from a > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want to > know why and how to resolve it. You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. The behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since the wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for their machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're using before you undock. I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. Malke -- MS-MVP Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/6/2008 10:38:25 AM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
Sorry missed that question. No the problem does not occur with wireless since Vista seems to remember wireless profile and IP and network config can be set per profile. This happens on a wired LAN. On Aug 6, 9:58=A0pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > Gizzo wrote: > > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with > > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found > > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh > > start up. > > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safely > > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > > and both works perfectly. > > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from a > > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want to > > know why and how to resolve it. > > You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. The > behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since the > wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. > > Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for the= ir > machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're using > before you undock. > > I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. > > Malke > -- > MS-MVP > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/6/2008 6:03:18 PM |
| From: "Spaceman" [Email Address Protection] |
Hi Gizzo, When you connect at home, Does it have to be automatically assigned? Are you connecting to your own home network or an ISP account? -- James M Driscoll Jr MCTS (Vista) Spaceman "Gizzo" <gbacareza@gmail.com> wrote in message news:07b1c55e-fe05-492d-954f-f79412d38764@v26g2000prm.googlegroups.com... Sorry missed that question. No the problem does not occur with wireless since Vista seems to remember wireless profile and IP and network config can be set per profile. This happens on a wired LAN. On Aug 6, 9:58 pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > Gizzo wrote: > > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with > > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found > > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh > > start up. > > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safely > > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > > and both works perfectly. > > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from a > > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want to > > know why and how to resolve it. > > You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. The > behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since the > wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. > > Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for > their > machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're using > before you undock. > > I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. > > Malke > -- > MS-MVP > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/12/2008 2:35:33 AM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
No problem at home. it's at work. So I did a test where the results boggle me more: I removed the alternative IP and set the default IP configuration to the static one. Everything works at startup. BUT the problem still exist when I undock/ dock. Even when it's set to static IP. How can Vista not find the IP when it is already set to static? Is this a known bug? How can I solve this? On Aug 7, 9:03=A0am, "Spaceman" <space...@realspaceman.com> wrote: > Hi Gizzo, > When you connect at home, > Does it have to be automatically assigned? > Are you connecting to your own home network or > an ISP account? > > -- > James M Driscoll Jr > MCTS (Vista) > Spaceman > > "Gizzo" <gbacar...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:07b1c55e-fe05-492d-954f-f79412d38764@v26g2000prm.googlegroups.com... > Sorry missed that question. No the problem does not occur with > wireless since Vista seems to remember wireless profile and IP and > network config can be set per profile. > > This happens on a wired LAN. > > On Aug 6, 9:58 pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > > > Gizzo wrote: > > > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with > > > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > > > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found > > > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh > > > start up. > > > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safel= y > > > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > > > and both works perfectly. > > > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from = a > > > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want t= o > > > know why and how to resolve it. > > > You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. Th= e > > behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since t= he > > wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. > > > Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for > > their > > machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're usi= ng > > before you undock. > > > I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. > > > Malke > > -- > > MS-MVP > > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/13/2008 9:14:28 AM |
| From: "Spaceman" [Email Address Protection] |
Ok, I think you could setup multiple static ip's like this and it should work. You will need to know the following ip addresses Your static IP for work and static address for home that works. You also need to know one DNS address at work and one at home, and then you will need 1 gateway at work and 1 gateway at home. Open the IP4 properties and clear the static addresses set for now, then click advanced Place the two different static ip addresses for you computer in the ip address box by using add, use the default subnet (probably 255.255.255.0) it should pop up by just clicking in that area when adding the ips. Then do the same for the two gateways in the gateway box by clicking the add for each of those. Click OK once those are added then add the two different DNS Ip's at the bottom of the main properties screen (one for work and one for home) Then click Ok and give it a minute to "settle" in to the new settings. and try the docking undocking and such. I got such to work here with two different networks and one card so I can just unplug the cable and plug into the other network and it uses both no problem so I think such should work for you also. I hope that helps ya. James M Driscoll Jr MCTS (Vista) Spaceman "Gizzo" <gbacareza@gmail.com> wrote in message news:d0f5263b-1560-4a65-bb92-31c25f6e865d@p31g2000prf.googlegroups.com... No problem at home. it's at work. So I did a test where the results boggle me more: I removed the alternative IP and set the default IP configuration to the static one. Everything works at startup. BUT the problem still exist when I undock/ dock. Even when it's set to static IP. How can Vista not find the IP when it is already set to static? Is this a known bug? How can I solve this? On Aug 7, 9:03 am, "Spaceman" <space...@realspaceman.com> wrote: > Hi Gizzo, > When you connect at home, > Does it have to be automatically assigned? > Are you connecting to your own home network or > an ISP account? > > -- > James M Driscoll Jr > MCTS (Vista) > Spaceman > > "Gizzo" <gbacar...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:07b1c55e-fe05-492d-954f-f79412d38764@v26g2000prm.googlegroups.com... > Sorry missed that question. No the problem does not occur with > wireless since Vista seems to remember wireless profile and IP and > network config can be set per profile. > > This happens on a wired LAN. > > On Aug 6, 9:58 pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > > > Gizzo wrote: > > > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) with > > > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > > > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having found > > > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fresh > > > start up. > > > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to safely > > > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > > > and both works perfectly. > > > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works from a > > > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want to > > > know why and how to resolve it. > > > You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. The > > behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since > > the > > wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. > > > Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for > > their > > machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're > > using > > before you undock. > > > I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. > > > Malke > > -- > > MS-MVP > > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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| Subject: Re: connection profiles in vista? |
| Group: microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing |
| Date: 8/20/2008 11:28:37 PM |
| From: Gizzo [Email Address Protection] |
What if I don't have any other set of static IP, Gateway, DNS, etc? On Aug 14, 12:14=A0am, "Spaceman" <space...@realspaceman.com> wrote: > Ok, > I think you could setup multiple static ip's like this > and it should work. > You will need to know the following ip addresses > Your static IP for work and static address for home that works. > You also need to know one DNS address at work and one at home, > and then you will need 1 gateway at work and 1 gateway at home. > > Open the IP4 properties and clear the static addresses set for now, > then click advanced > Place the two different static ip addresses for you computer in the > ip address box by using add, > use the default subnet (probably 255.255.255.0) it should pop > up by just clicking in that area when adding the ips. > Then do the same for the two gateways in the gateway box by > clicking the add for each of those. > Click OK once those are added > then add the two different DNS Ip's at the bottom of the main > properties screen (one for work and one for home) > Then click Ok and give it a minute to "settle" in to the new settings. > and try the docking undocking and such. > > I got such to work here with two different networks and one card > so I can just unplug the cable and plug into the other network > and it uses both no problem so I think such should work for you > also. > I hope that helps ya. > James M Driscoll Jr > MCTS (Vista) > Spaceman > > "Gizzo" <gbacar...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:d0f5263b-1560-4a65-bb92-31c25f6e865d@p31g2000prf.googlegroups.com... > No problem at home. it's at work. > > So I did a test where the results boggle me more: > > I removed the alternative IP and set the default IP configuration to > the static one. > > Everything works at startup. BUT the problem still exist when I undock/ > dock. Even when it's set to static IP. How can Vista not find the IP > when it is already set to static? > > Is this a known bug? How can I solve this? > > On Aug 7, 9:03 am, "Spaceman" <space...@realspaceman.com> wrote: > > > Hi Gizzo, > > When you connect at home, > > Does it have to be automatically assigned? > > Are you connecting to your own home network or > > an ISP account? > > > -- > > James M Driscoll Jr > > MCTS (Vista) > > Spaceman > > > "Gizzo" <gbacar...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > >news:07b1c55e-fe05-492d-954f-f79412d38764@v26g2000prm.googlegroups.com..= .. > > Sorry missed that question. No the problem does not occur with > > wireless since Vista seems to remember wireless profile and IP and > > network config can be set per profile. > > > This happens on a wired LAN. > > > On Aug 6, 9:58 pm, Malke <ma...@invalid.invalid> wrote: > > > > Gizzo wrote: > > > > work IT requires static IP so i configured IP to be auto (DHCP) wit= h > > > > the alternative IP which contains our work LAN. I thought that with > > > > this config, Vista would first search for DHCP and after having fou= nd > > > > none, will use the alternative IP I entered. This works only on fre= sh > > > > start up. > > > > > As for undocking/docking, you dont need to turn off computer to saf= ely > > > > undock. Vista and Thinkpad both have an undock safely functionality > > > > and both works perfectly. > > > > > the problem again is that the alternative IP feature only works fro= m a > > > > fresh start scenario but not from an undock/redock scenario. I want= to > > > > know why and how to resolve it. > > > > You still haven't said whether you are connecting wirelessly or not. = The > > > behavior you're describing is normal when connecting wirelessly since > > > the > > > wireless connection doesn't survive sleep well in most cases. > > > > Contact Lenovo tech support and ask them if there is a workaround for > > > their > > > machine or disconnect from the network with whatever adapter you're > > > using > > > before you undock. > > > > I'm sorry but I don't have any further ideas for you. > > > > Malke > > > -- > > > MS-MVP > > > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic! > > > FAQ -http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ |
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