Here is where you can view the type of network; Private or Public. This
is the menu were you can also change the adapter settings,
inspect the firewall, or troubleshoot internet connection problems.
Click on 'Home network' to change your network location.
The key is network sharing for files and devices, 'Yes', turn on sharing for
private networks. Alternatively click 'No' do not turn on sharing if
you are using a wireless connection in a public place.
In addition to sharing files and printers, the private network setting means
that you can join a homegroup and make Remote Desktop connections.
Guy Recommends: A Free Trial of the Network Performance Monitor
(NPM)
SolarWinds'
Orion performance monitor
will help you discover what's happening on your network. This
utility will also guide you through troubleshooting; the dashboard will
indicate whether the root cause is a broken link, faulty equipment or
resource overload.
Perhaps the NPM's best feature is the way it suggests solutions to network
problems. Its
second best feature is the ability to monitor the health of individual VMware
virtual machines. If you are interested in troubleshooting, and creating
network maps, then I recommend that you try NPM now.
Paradoxically, public network requires the greatest privacy. You
should make sure file or device sharing is disabled for fear of having your
data stolen. Here is how you can check sharing:
Press Winkey +i, or find the network icon to the right of the
desktop taskbar.
Left-click on the network icon.
Right-click on your connection and select "Turn Sharing On and Off"
Choose the 'No' option for security.
With the public network setting you cannot discover other devices as you
can with private network settings. This is clearly the
setting for you to get internet access at airports, or shops offering Wi-Fi
access. You have to assume that there could also be bad people who
want to hack personal computer data at such communal places.
Control Panel view of Public Network
Note: Public networks cannot join a
Homegroup, another side effect is that you cannot use Remote Desktop
connection.
This is was a little used Windows 7 setting for small offices. Network
discovery is available but you can't join a homegroup.
On the other hand,
Domain Network is location for enterprises with Windows Server and active
directory. Note: there is no option, the setting is just a product of
joining a domain.
The master wireless configuration options are found under the PC
Settings. Press Winkey +i, then click on 'Change PC settings' at the
bottom of the screen.
The wireless configuration is controlled via the black sliders. You can also toggle Airplane mode in the same way.
Choosing 'Off' means normal network access, while selecting 'On' means that
your apps still work, but they won't send or
receive any data. See more on Wireless
settings.
Guy Recommends: SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper (NTM)
NTM will produce a neat diagram of your network topology. But that's
just the start;
Network Topology Mapper can
create an inventory of the hardware and software
of your machines and network devices. Other neat features include dynamic
update for when you add new devices to your network. I also love the ability to export
the diagrams
to Microsoft Visio.
Finally, Guy bets that if you test drive the Network Topology
Mapper then you will
find a device on your network that you had forgotten about, or someone else
installed without you realizing!
Let us have a look at the network adapters and their settings. Once
again navigate to the Network and Sharing Center, and this time click on the
link called: 'Change adapter settings'.
If you right click one of the connections then you can:
Disable / Enable - Handy to disable Wi-Fi if you have a wired
connection.
Connect / Disconnect - Find a Wi-Fi source.
Check the Status - Useful in troubleshooting.
Diagnose - Summon the wizards.
Properties - The place to check DHCP and DNS settings.
Here is an utility where you can review firewall settings such as
access control lists (ACL), or troubleshoot problems with network
address translation (NAT).
Other reasons to download this SolarWinds Firewall Browser include
managing requests to change your firewall settings, testing firewall
rules before you go live, and querying settings with the browser's
powerful search options.
Ping the router IP (often local subnet x.y.z.254).
Ping another machine on the network.
Break the problem in to simple questions: Is it the Windows 8 machine,
or the router?
Browse from another machine on the same network.
Check DNS settings, again compare the broken machine with one that's
working.
Ask 'what's changed lately?'
Avoid overthink, keep it simple - try a reboot.
Don't make it worse; for instance, don't disable IPv6, that's not
the problem.
Triangular Wireless Connection
If you see a triangle with nodes in the corners, then you are using wireless,
but connecting directly to another computer and not using an access point or
a router.
A private Network Location gives you the benefit of sharing and Homegroup
when you are at home. Yet, Windows 8 provides the more secure 'Public network'
for when
your are away from base.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
