Table 6-12 Network Settings by Windows Version

	Windows XP	Windows Vista	Windows 7
Computer/	System properties,	System properties,	System properties,
workgroup	Computer Name,	Change settings	Change settings
name	Computer Name
	Changes
Viewing shared	My Network Places	Windows Explorer	Windows Explorer
folders
Manage net-	Network	Network and Sharing	Network and Sharing
work hardware	Connections	Center	Center
Sharing folders	Share tab on each	Share tab on each folder	Share tab on each
(Workgroup)	folder		folder
View network	N/A	Network and Sharing	Network and Sharing
map		Center, view Network	Center, view Network
		map	map (see Figure 6-11)
Configure	Control Panel,	Network and Sharing	Network and Sharing
Windows	Windows Firewall	Center	Center
Firewall

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To add Windows XP computers to a network map viewed on Windows Vista or Windows 7, install the LLTD protocol on each computer. It is available from the Microsoft download website.

 

Figure 6-11 illustrates a map of a small network.

 

Figure 6-11 A small network as viewed by Windows 7’s Network Map feature.

 

 

Joining a Network

 

To join a workgroup or domain network, use the System properties dialogs listed in Table 6-12 above. Use information provided by the network manager for workgroup or domain name, user or computer name, and so on.

 

To join a homegroup in Windows 7, use the Network and Sharing Center to access the dialogs for joining (or creating) a homegroup and for specifying what to share.

 

Mapping Drives

 

After a network share is accessed, it can be mapped to a drive letter if desired. To map a network location to a drive letter, use the Tools menu in Windows Explorer or right-click the location and select Map Network Drive.

 

Connecting to a Network

 

Windows supports all popular types of network connections, including VPN, dial-up, wireless Ethernet, wired Ethernet, and WWAN (cellular). However, the methods used for making these con-nections vary. Table 6-13 reviews the differences.

124 CompTIA A+ Quick Reference

 

Table 6-13 Network Connections in Windows

Connection Type	Information Needed
VPN	IP address or hostname of remote host
	Username
	Password
	Logon domain
Dialup	Telephone number of remote host
	Username
	Password
Wireless Ethernet	Security set identifier (SSID) of wireless network
	Encryption key (if used)
	Encryption type (Windows XP only)
Wired Ethernet	Workgroup or domain name
	Username
	Password
WWAN (cellular)	APN of cellular network
	PIN (to unlock connection)
	Username
	Password

 

 

Proxy Settings

 

Corporate networks often use proxy servers to help protect the network from undesired Internet traffic and to improve access to frequently used websites. Proxy settings are configured through the Connections tab of Internet options. Click the LAN Settings button, check the Proxy Server check box, and provide the proxy server information provided by your IT department. If your net-work uses different proxy servers for different types of traffic, click Advanced to enter the infor-mation needed. Click OK to save and close the dialogs.

 

Remote Desktop Connection

 

The ability to receive a Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is available in Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business/Ultimate/Enterprise, and Windows 7 Professional/ Ultimate/ Enterprise. It is enabled through the Remote tab of System properties. Windows XP supports a less-secure version of RDC than Vista/7.

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