Windows 8 : Configuring networking (part 2) - Managing network settings - Using the Network and Sharing Center

Installing a network adapter

In the past, a network adapter was an optional component for a computer, but this is no longer the case. Almost 100 percent of the PCs, laptops, and tablet devices that are sold today come with some form of network connectivity. Desktop PCs have a wired Ethernet port; laptops often have both a wired Ethernet port and wireless ability; tablet devices come with either Wi-Fi or cellular 3G or 4G service.

Even so, you might need to install an additional network adapter in one of your Windows 8 systems. For example, if you have a desktop PC that needs wireless capability, you need to add a wireless network adapter to the PC.

The exact steps depend on the kind of network adapter you’re adding to the device. If you’re adding an internal network adapter, you must physically open the PC and install the network adapter. However, it’s much more common today for wireless connectivity to be added by using USB-based wireless networking adapters.

In general, the steps to install a network adapter are as follows:

1. Insert the CD that accompanied the network adapter into the computer.

2. Run the setup program the CD contains.

   This installs the software drivers that are necessary for the new network adapter to operate. In some cases, the network adapter manufacturer also includes other network management tools that you can use to manage the adapter, but the important part of this step is to make sure that the drivers are installed.

3. After the drivers finish installing, connect the new network adapter. This might mean installing a card inside a PC, but more often it means plugging the network adapter into an available USB port on the computer.

   Because you’ve already installed the drivers, Windows 8 will recognize the new hardware device and make it available for your use.

Every network adapter is different, but most follow the same installation process. Don’t make assumptions. If you install a new network adapter, read the instructions first. Doing so can save you hours of troubleshooting later.

After you’ve successfully installed your new network adapter, you can configure it for use on your network.

Managing network settings

Although Windows 8 includes new ways to handle some networking tasks, many of the traditional methods for managing networks remain available to administrators. As a Windows 8 administrator, you need to know both new and traditional methods for managing networks so that you can move comfortably between tablet-based and traditional Windows systems and have available to you all the configuration options you’re used to seeing.

Using the Network and Sharing Center

The Network and Sharing Center has been the main location for managing networks in Windows for quite some time, and this tool remains available in Windows 8. You can access this tool in a number of ways.

Using the Taskbar

At the lower-right corner of the desktop, tap and hold or right-click the network icon and choose Open Network And Sharing Center (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Opening Network And Sharing Center from the desktop

Using Control Panel

To access Control Panel, either tap and hold or right-click the lower-left corner of the desktop. This opens a shortcut menu that provides access to a number of system utilities, including Control Panel. Select Control Panel. Under Network And Internet, choose View Network Status And Tasks, as shown in Figure 4; this opens the Network and Sharing Center.

Figure 4. Using Control Panel to access the Network and Sharing Center

Using the Start Screen

You can also use the new Windows 8 interface to access the Network and Sharing Center. There are two ways to accomplish the goal. First, on the Start screen, type Control Panel. As you type, Windows searches for the options that match what you are typing (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Looking for Control Panel on the Start screen

Alternatively, from the Start screen, start typing Network and, in the Search bar, select Settings. Scroll through the list and then tap or click Network And Sharing Center, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Finding settings related to the network by using the Start screen

When Network And Sharing Center is open, it provides you with a number of options by which to make granular changes to how Windows 8 operates on the network. Initially, it shows you the basic network information for your computer. In Figure 7, you can see a computer that is connected to an Ethernet (wired) network and joined to a homegroup. You can see that the wired network connection is configured as Private Network. In addition, you can tell that this connection is allowed to access the Internet.

Figure 7. Network and Sharing Center

On the left side of the Network And Sharing Center window, two options are presented:

• Change Adapter Settings Select this option to manipulate the networking hardware directly. You can change adapter settings and common network settings such as IP address.

• Change Advanced Sharing Settings Select this option to modify the way Windows interacts with other computers on the network.

In addition to the links at the left, you can see further information in the Network And Sharing Center window. From a connectivity standpoint, the most important information is in the View Your Active Networks section of the window.