This document provides instructions for basic network configuration and troubleshooting. It explains how a simple computer network connects devices via an Ethernet switch, and how each device needs an IP address to communicate on the network. It offers steps to check network connectivity, like using ipconfig to view your IP address and the default gateway, and using ping to test connectivity to the gateway. Finally, it lists basic troubleshooting steps like verifying physical connections and that you have an IP address, and provides instructions to check proxy settings if only the web browser is having issues.

1. Basic Network Concepts
And Troubleshooting

2. A Simple Computer Network for File Sharing

3. 10/100
Ethernet
Switch

6. Your computer’s
network adapter
connects to a port
on a switch.
When you have a
connection to a
switch, there
should be a link
light on the
network adapter.
A link light is a small LED
that can be seen near
where the network cable
plugs into your computer.

7. Network Addressing
• Before your computer can communicate
with other computers on a network, it must
have an address. On your network, this
address is known as an “IP address.”

8. In order to view
your IP address on
a Windows XP or
Windows 2000
computer, you can
open a command
prompt window…

9. At the command prompt, type “ipconfig.”
Then, hit enter. Basic IP address
information will be displayed. Here, you
can see that my IP address is 10.3.0.218.

10. You can do a simple test to see if you’re connected to the
network. After using the “ipconfig” utility to see your IP address
information, note that you can also see an address for “Default
Gateway.” In this case, you can see that my default gateway is
10.3.0.1.
At the prompt, type “ping [gateway address]”. If you get a reply,
you’re connected.

11. Basic Troubleshooting
• Very that you are physically connected to
network. Make sure there is a network
cable plugged into your network adapter
and look for a link light.
• Verify that you have an IP address.
• Take note of which applications on your
computer are working, and which ones
aren’t.

12. Basic Troubleshooting Cont.
• If you’re having trouble with your web-
browser only, see if you can get to
www.mveca.org. If you can, but still can’t
reach other resources on the Internet,
check your proxy settings.

13. In Internet Explorer, click on
Tools/Internet Options…

14. Click the “Connections” tab at the top, then select “LAN
Settings…” “Use automatic configuration script” should be
checked. In the address box, you should see the following
address…
http://www.mveca.org/www/java-proxy.pac
It’s important that you verify every single character.