Question

which connection is connected

Asked by: intelogent

hi,

i have a laptop which is wirelss or it can be wired....
when a wire is installed, how can i tell " how am i connected "....
which connections takes priority?

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Asked On
2009-08-04 at 18:23:41ID24626742
Topics

Networking Hardware

,

General Laptop

Participating Experts
4
Points
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: badgermikePosted on 2009-08-04 at 18:27:07ID: 25019623

What operating system windows / mac

You should be able to tell which is connected by going to your network property location. Windows is control panel - network connections - and you can see if lan and wireless is connected.

They can both be connected at the same time with no priority.

 

by: samenglishPosted on 2009-08-04 at 18:28:25ID: 25019626

in the botton right hand corner of the screen (the system tray) there should be an icon for each connection that is active. It should show a description as a tool tip if you hover the mouse over it, or you could right click on it and check the Status of the connection. If there are no icons there, then you need to open your Network Connections from Control Panel (use Detail view - it will show you current connection status).

There are no priorities, connections are made as requested (either manually or by the OS)

 

by: intelogentPosted on 2009-08-04 at 18:59:33ID: 25019721

badger... if they are both connected.. will that not cofuse things?

 

by: badgermikePosted on 2009-08-04 at 19:03:09ID: 25019734

It could drop packets...when they are both connected it may even slow you down because the computer has to decide which connection to use and may even drop packets.

 

by: badgermikePosted on 2009-08-04 at 19:04:06ID: 25019736

Usually you choose the connection...if you want a cable plugged in disable the wifi adapter and plug in the cable if you want wifi just don't plug the cable in and use the wifi.

 

by: james_tubbervillePosted on 2009-08-04 at 20:28:21ID: 25019958

Typically once you log on the wired lan is already connected if plugged in. Wired NICs begin functioning after POST. The wireless connection does not initiate until after you log on. Both can be connected at the same time; however, this can be a great benefit if you have higher rates of service (many metros are now providing). The two nics can be bridged. Bridging a wireless and wired network will typically cause the wired to download and the wireless to upload; although it is also common for the two to do both simultaneously.
If the NICs aren't bridged, it's a good idea to diable one. (Usually the slower wireless).

 

by: NivleshPosted on 2009-08-05 at 03:06:58ID: 25021682

if you dont want your wireless to connect, there are physical buttons on your laptop (each laptop has its own place) which you can use to disable wireless, in which case the wire will be the only connection you get. I would personally choose wired over wireless unless ofcourse the wired is very very slow. wireless can be prone to distance from AP and also the many barriers in between you and the AP. Also, I am guessing you might have a 802.11g which is a max of 54Mbps, which will have a usable bandwith of around 42kbps (taking out the overhead etc) whereas on the wire, you will get around approx 92Mbps (and if your pipe to the ISP is fast, this connection will be much faster than the wireless since the last hop on the wireless is the slowest link compared to the wire).. phew that was quite a bit of typing!!

 

by: intelogentPosted on 2009-08-05 at 06:24:02ID: 25023155

nivlesh..... may have been many words... but they said much. you addressed that if one were to choose, choose wired.....
but how about the conversation on bridging.... my kids are constantly doing what kids do... would be high speedridging the wireless and the wired by a good option... and yes we have high speed internet.

 

by: NivleshPosted on 2009-08-05 at 11:21:35ID: 25026454

i actually havent tried bridging connections because i am either on the wire or on wireless .. wireless because i like the freedom .. wired because there is no other option. so if i were you, i would try bridging and see if it makes any significant speed benefits. apart from using files on your intranet (which is faster on the wired network), is there any other reason why you are using the wired network?

 

by: intelogentPosted on 2009-09-05 at 05:21:33ID: 31611730

guys ,

you help to provide a fantastic discussion... i love this place.

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