TCP/IP Configuration Can be accessed in Windows 9X and Me by going to Start> Run and type in ‘winipcfg’ in the open dialogbox. This utility lets you view all your current TCp/IP settings in single plcae . By clicking on More info, additional information regarding the network can be viewed .
If the IP address was dynamically allocated by DHCP(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, then you can use the release and Renew buttons to manage your allocated IP address .
Adapter address
This is a hexadecimal address, also called the MAC address, unique to every network adapter .It is hard coded into the card by manufacturer, and consists of six 8-bit numbers . However, remember that modems do not have address – this is restricted to network adapters . The number for a modem or dial up adapter is set to meaningless default number .
IP address :
This is the current IP networking address . Depending on wether the DHCP is used , this may be static or dynamically allocated .The static value is entered in TCP/IP network configuration menu .
Subnet mask :
This is used to mask a portion of the IP address to determine the subnet where the computer is located- within the internal network. All computer running TCP/IP must have the Subnet mask defined .
Default Gateway
this is the IP address of the computer that provides the connection to remote network . The gateway computer is the computer that TCP/IP will use to communicate and route data destined for the computers on remote networks .
DHCP server :
This entry indicates the IP address of the DHCP server . The DHCP server, when present , will dynamically assign an IP address to the machine upon the connecting to the network . Clicking on the Release button will release the IP address , and renew buttin requests a new IP address from the DHCP server.