Configuring Metrics, or how to choose the default connection between Wired and Wireless Connections.

EZLAN.NET

Hardware and Software Specifications, Examples, Links, and other info. are valid at the publishing time. In case it become invalid use the Internet Search.

1st Published, August, 2006

Over 9.000,000 Hits Site Wide in 2007

Configuring Metrics, or how to choose the default connection between Wired and Wireless Connections.

It is very common in today computers (especially Laptops) to have Wired Network Card (NIC) as well as Wireless. Often users end up in a conflict and they do not know how to control the system.

Windows Network configures each card to have its own TCP/IP.
The two cards can live together in peace and harmony provided they areconfigured to work with Set Priority.

The TCP/IP configuration has a special setting (under the Advance menu) for Metrics.

If you put a different number in the Metrics entry of the cards, the network connection would default to the connection with the lower number.

As an Example, if you put Metrics of 10 in the Wired Network connection, and Metrics of 20 in the Wireless Connection, the system would default to the wired connection

When the Wire is unplugged (or Not present) it would automatically switch to Wireless connection (if present). When the Wired is plugged back it would take over the connection since it has lower Metrics.

How to configure?

1. In Control Panel, double-click Network Connections.

2. Right-click a network interfaces, and then click Properties.

3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.

4. On the General tab, click Advanced.

5. To specify the Metrics, on the IP Settings tab click to clear the Automatic metric check box, and then enter the Metric that you want in the Interface Metric field.

Looks like this. http://www.ezlan.net/network/metrics.jpg

You can configure the Wireless with a metrics of 10 and the Wires to a metrics of 20. In such a case if the computer is plugged to a live wired Network, and there is a Wireless Signal as well it would connect to the Wireless.