If you need to change TCP/IP settings frequently because you move your computer among multiple locations, help is available to make the process easier!
The MacOS allows you to specify multiple configurations for TCP/IP and PPP (if you’re using dialup) and switch between them easily. Just bring up the TCP/IP Control Panel and use the File > Configurations menu command. Later versions of MacOS8 have a Location Manager that can make the process even easier and remember printer setups, Chooser settings and what phone number to dial.
Windows 95/98 includes the ability to set multiple Hardware Profiles that can each contain different network settings. Here’s a tip on how to setup this feature:
1) Bring up the “System Properties” box and click on “Hardware Profiles”, click “Copy” and give the new Profile a different name. You now have 2 hardware profiles which can be set differently, i.e. have different TCP/IP settings.
2) Restart your computer. When the machine boots up it will ask you which profile you want to run. Choose the new profile and change the network settings as needed for your other network configuration.
3) Once you have each Hardware profile established with the different settings, you just choose the profile you need when you startup your system.
You can also use third-party products. Here’s a list of them (courtesy of Fred Lindahl):
- NetSwitcher – the Ultimate Windows 95/98/NT Network Setup Utility
($9 credit card / $8 cash,check)
http://www.netswitcher.com/ - Select-a-Net
($8 for single user)
http://www.ut-zone.com/selectanet/ - Globesoft Multi-Net Manager ($30)
http://www.globesoft.com/Common/frm_products.html
9/4/00 Windows 2000 has the shell command netsh which you can use directly or in a script to switch network connections. See this Microsoft article Q257748 for more info. (tip courtesy of Jason P.):
