# OS-7: Windows Networking

Status: not started

Domain:
- 1.0 Operating Systems

Objective alignment:
- 1.7 Windows networking
- 1.5 Windows network command-line support

## What You Need To Know

Windows networking questions usually describe one of these tasks:
- Join or compare a workgroup/domain.
- Share a folder or printer.
- Map a network drive.
- Configure firewall exceptions.
- Configure IP settings.
- Choose public/private network profile.
- Configure VPN, Wi-Fi, proxy, WWAN, or metered connection.

## Memory Tricks

Use **D-S-F-I-P**:

- **D**omain/workgroup: who manages login?
- **S**hares: folder/printer access.
- **F**irewall: allow/block traffic.
- **I**P settings: address, mask, gateway, DNS.
- **P**rofile/proxy/VPN: how traffic is treated.

Network profile:
- **Private = trusted = sharing allowed.**
- **Public = untrusted = sharing restricted.**

IP troubleshooting:
- **169.254 = APIPA = DHCP failed.**
- **127.0.0.1 = loopback = local TCP/IP test.**

## Workgroup vs Domain

Workgroup:
- Small peer-to-peer network.
- Each PC manages its own local users and permissions.
- No centralized authentication.

Domain:
- Business network with centralized authentication and management.
- Usually uses Active Directory.
- Supports Group Policy.
- Requires Windows Pro or higher to join a domain.

## Shared Resources

Shared folder:
- Makes a folder available over the network.
- Uses a UNC path like `\\server\share`.

Mapped drive:
- Assigns a drive letter to a network share.
- Example: map `H:` to `\\server\shared`.

Hidden share:
- Share name ends in `$`.
- Example: `\\server\share$`.
- It hides the share from browsing but is not real security.

Shared printer:
- Makes a printer available to other users.
- Can be added from Settings, Control Panel, or a shared path.

## Firewall Concepts

Windows Defender Firewall should normally stay enabled.

Firewall exception types:
- Allow an app or feature.
- Allow/block a port.
- Use a predefined rule.
- Create a custom rule.

Network profiles:
- Public profile: stricter, for public Wi-Fi.
- Private profile: more trusted, allows more discovery/sharing.

## IP Addressing

DHCP:
- Automatically assigns IP settings.
- Default behavior on most clients.

Static IP:
- Manually configured IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS.
- Used when a device needs a fixed address.

APIPA:
- Automatic Private IP Addressing.
- Address range starts with `169.254`.
- Means the client did not get DHCP and usually has no internet access.

Core fields:
- IP address: device address.
- Subnet mask: local network boundary.
- Default gateway: route off the local network.
- DNS server: converts names to IP addresses.

## Connection Types

Wired:
- Ethernet cable.
- Usually stable and fast.

Wireless:
- Wi-Fi using SSID, security type, encryption, and key.

VPN:
- Encrypted connection to a private network.
- Often used for work access.
- May use MFA such as smart card, authenticator app, or token.

WWAN:
- Cellular data connection.
- May use built-in modem, USB modem, tethering, or hotspot.

Proxy:
- A go-between for web/internet traffic.
- Configured in Settings > Network and Internet or Internet Options.

Metered connection:
- Tells Windows to reduce data use.
- Useful for cellular/hotspot/limited data networks.

## Commands To Enter

Windows:

```powershell
ipconfig
```

What it does:
- Shows IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

```powershell
ipconfig /all
```

What it does:
- Shows detailed network configuration, including DNS, DHCP, and MAC address.

```powershell
ping 127.0.0.1
```

What it does:
- Tests local TCP/IP stack.

```powershell
ping 8.8.8.8
```

What it does:
- Tests external IP connectivity.

```powershell
nslookup example.com
```

What it does:
- Tests DNS name resolution.

```powershell
net use
```

What it does:
- Shows mapped network drives and network connections.

```powershell
net use H: \\server\share
```

What it does:
- Maps drive `H:` to a network share.
- Replace `\\server\share` with a real share in your environment.

```powershell
net use H: /delete
```

What it does:
- Removes the mapped drive `H:`.

```powershell
ncpa.cpl
```

What it does:
- Opens Network Connections.

```powershell
firewall.cpl
```

What it does:
- Opens Windows Defender Firewall.

Linux comparison:

```bash
ip addr
```

What it does:
- Shows Linux network interfaces and IP addresses.

```bash
ip route
```

What it does:
- Shows routing table, including default gateway.

```bash
cat /etc/resolv.conf
```

What it does:
- Shows DNS resolver configuration on many Linux systems.

```bash
ping -c 4 127.0.0.1
```

What it does:
- Tests local TCP/IP stack.

## Mini Lab

Goal:
- Identify IP settings, network profile concepts, firewall location, and mapped-drive syntax.

Windows:
1. Run `ipconfig`.
2. Run `ipconfig /all`.
3. Run `ping 127.0.0.1`.
4. Run `nslookup example.com`.
5. Run `net use`.
6. Run `ncpa.cpl`.
7. Run `firewall.cpl`.

Record:
- IPv4 address:
- Subnet mask:
- Default gateway:
- DNS server:
- DHCP enabled:
- Any mapped drives:
- Current network adapter name:
- Where firewall profile settings are located:

Linux:
1. Run `ip addr`.
2. Run `ip route`.
3. Run `cat /etc/resolv.conf`.
4. Run `ping -c 4 127.0.0.1`.

Record:
- IP address:
- Default gateway:
- DNS server:
- Loopback ping result:

## Quick Check Before Quiz

You are ready for the OS-7 quiz when you can answer these without looking:
- What does a `169.254.x.x` address usually mean?
- Which network profile is safest for public Wi-Fi?
- What does `net use` do?
- What settings are required for a static IP?
- What does DNS do?