Create a Local Area Network (LAN) connection

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

If your computer has a network adapter that is connected to a local area network, you do not need to manually create a LAN connection, because Windows automatically creates and configures the connection when you start your computer.

After Windows detects your network adapter, Windows creates and starts a network connection that is configured by default with Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) versions 4 and 6 enabled. In addition, Windows configures the LAN connection as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client that obtains network parameters, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address and default gateway IP address, from a DHCP server.

If you do not have a DHCP server on your local subnet or on another subnet with all intermediary network hardware, such as routers and switches, configured to allow the forwarding of DHCP broadcast messages, you must configure the local area connection manually.

If you have more than one network adapter installed in your computer, you can eliminate possible confusion by renaming each connection to reflect the network to which it connects. For more information, see Rename a network connection.

See Also

Concepts

Administer Network and Sharing Center
Manage Network Connections