How to Switch Among Different Networks

**topgear** · 24-02-2008, 07:36 PM

Say You have one laptop that needs to be connected both of your home & office network. But changing the the settings manually every time is a hassle. To get rid of this I am presenting you with this tutorial. Windows xp & 2000 ( probably vista also ) has a nifty command line utility that makes switching between network a cake-walk.

Create a folder on your laptop - say : c:\netsettings

While you're on your home network, open the command prompt window and type in the following command :

Code:

netsh -c interface dump > c:\netsettings\home.txt

this will store a copy of your home network settings on the above location
aka c:\netsettings\home.txt

Now before turning off the the laptop change the following things as per your
office network config :

1. workgroup or domain name,
2. TCP/IP Settings of your NIC - such as manual or automatic ip settings.
3. Gateway & DNS server settings

in one word do all the necessary settings you usually do to connect to your office network.

Now turn off your laptop & go to your workplace or office

. Don't be late

After you've successfully log on to your office network save the network settings using this command :

Code:

netsh -c interface dump > c:\netsettings\workplace.txt

this will store a copy of your office network settings on the above location
aka c:\netsettings\workplace.txt

Now after a long day or night doing your hardwork at your workplace
& just before turning off the laptop ( assuming you're now going to home )
fire up your command prompt window & type in this command :

Code:

netsh -f c:\netsettings\home.txt

And voila ! This will prepare your laptop to log on to your home network.
you don't have to change a bunch of settings manually anymore.

While you're at home and before turning off your laptop just type in this command into a command prompt window

Code:

netsh -f c:\netsettings\workplace.txt

This will load your appropriate network settings so that you can directly log on to your workplace network next time you boot your laptop
without the need of any kind of manual settings.

So, In short this workaround will save your time as you can
switch between networks using only simple commands.

Note : I've used windows xp with sp3 as the OS

& my elder brother's laptop for this purpose

. That lappy is loaded with winxp sp2 - all updated.

For the leechers only - Don't just Copy & Paste my Hard Work Without my Permission & Claim it as Yours. In Simple Word - STAY AWAY

If any one Really Interested to show up this tutorial any other place just use the URL aka the address of this tutorial & mention this in bold fonts :

A quality tutorial by topgear.......topspeed