Question

The command ipconfig is usually the next tool you will pull out of your toolbox when you're networking a system. A lot of valuable knowledge can be gleaned from this tool.

Internet Protocol is a set of rules that govern how data is sent over the Internet or another network. This routing function essentially creates the Internet we know and love.

IP has the function of taking packets from the source host and delivering them to the proper destination host based solely on the IP addresses in a packet. The datagram that is being sent has two parts: a header and a payload. The header has the information needed to get the information where it should go. The payload is the stuff you want the other host to have.

In Lab 1.2 , you'll use the ipconfig command.

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LAB 1.2 : IPCONFIG

1. Open a command prompt or a terminal window.
2. Type ipconfig and press Enter if you are on a Windows system. If you are on Linux, try ifconfig .
3. Scroll through your adapters and note the ones that are for Ethernet or Wi‐Fi or Bluetooth.
4. With the preceding steps, you can answer the following questions: Which adapters are connected with an IP address? Which ones are disconnected?
5. At the command prompt, type ipconfig /all and press Enter.

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Now you have a wealth of information to begin your troubleshooting hypothesis. In Figure 1.3 , you see the IP addresses and default gateways for each network adapter on the machine.

Figure 1.3 : Using ipconfig /all

To find your router's private IP address, look for the default gateway. Think of this machine as a literal gateway that you will use to access the Internet or another network. What tool would you use to make sure that the router is alive? Why, ping of course!

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