<div>
Windows doesn't have the capability of intelligently determine the network connectivity, so you don't get any loadbalancing stuff here which you'll get with networking equipments.<br />
<br />
Simple, 2 NIC configurations are allowed (which are to indicate 2 connections), but only one of them can have a default gateway, otherwise you can expect the unexpected.<br />
<br />
In industry the 2 NIC scenario's are used, in such cases only one of the NIC should have a default gateway and only then the expected traffic flow would happen. Usually like the SBS servers/ISA servers do this.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
Rajesh<br />
<br />

</div>


Windows doesn't have the capability of intelligently determine the network connectivity, so you don't get any loadbalancing stuff here which you'll get with networking equipments.

Simple, 2 NIC configurations are allowed (which are to indicate 2 connections), but only one of them can have a default gateway, otherwise you can expect the unexpected.

In industry the 2 NIC scenario's are used, in such cases only one of the NIC should have a default gateway and only then the expected traffic flow would happen. Usually like the SBS servers/ISA servers do this.

Cheers,
Rajesh



<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
This is a theoretical scenario I am using solely for the purpose of understanding how Windows works. <br />
<br />
Let’s say I have a laptop running Windows XP Pro and it’s connected to my home network via the onboard wired NIC, and then I establish a VPN connection to my company’s network creating a second network connection, and then I connect to my neighbor’s unsecured wireless network creating a third network connection. <br />
<br />
How does Windows XP Pro determine which network connection to use when multiple network connections exist on a computer? Thanks.<br />

</div>
</div>


This is a theoretical scenario I am using solely for the purpose of understanding how Windows works. 

Let’s say I have a laptop running Windows XP Pro and it’s connected to my home network via the onboard wired NIC, and then I establish a VPN connection to my company’s network creating a second network connection, and then I connect to my neighbor’s unsecured wireless network creating a third network connection. 

How does Windows XP Pro determine which network connection to use when multiple network connections exist on a computer? Thanks.


How does Windows XP Pro determine which network connection to use when multiple network connections exist on a PC?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that uses a public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or travelling users access to a central organizational network securely. VPNs encapsulate data transfers using secure cryptographic methods and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.