comptia-a-plus-core2/labs/OS-7-windows-networking-lab.md

Lab OS-7: Windows Networking

Domain:

• 1.0 Operating Systems

Works on:

• Windows
• Linux comparison practice

Does not require:

• macOS

Goal

Practice basic network identification and map common network scenarios to the right Windows settings.

Windows Steps

Run:

ipconfig
ipconfig /all
ping 127.0.0.1
nslookup example.com
net use
ncpa.cpl
firewall.cpl

Record:

• IPv4 address:
• Subnet mask:
• Default gateway:
• DNS server:
• DHCP enabled:
• Network adapter name:
• Any mapped drives:
• Current firewall profiles visible:

Scenario matching:

• Need to map H: to \\server\share:
• Need to remove mapped drive H::
• Need to change DNS manually:
• Need to allow an app through firewall:
• Need stricter settings on public Wi-Fi:
• Need to reduce data usage on a hotspot:

Linux Comparison Steps

Run:

ip addr
ip route
cat /etc/resolv.conf
ping -c 4 127.0.0.1

Record:

• IP address:
• Default gateway:
• DNS server:
• Loopback test successful:

What You Should Learn

• ipconfig /all gives detailed Windows network settings.
• 169.254.x.x usually means DHCP failed and APIPA was assigned.
• net use displays or maps network drives.
• ncpa.cpl opens adapter settings.
• firewall.cpl opens Windows Defender Firewall.
• Public network profile is stricter than Private.