IP Configuration Commands

The Command Prompt is not just for tracking the IP Address. You can also execute dome commands to configure your ip
here are the list of some IP Configuration commands

ipconfig - Display or show basic information
ipconfig /all - Display Full configuration or detailed information
ipconfig /release - Release the IP Address for the specified adapter
ipconfig /renew - Renew the IP Address for the Specified Adapter
ipconfig /flushdns - Purge the DNS Resolver Cache
ipconfig /registerdns - Refresh all DHCP leases and re-register DNS Names
ipconfig / displaydns - Display the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache
ipconfig /showclassid adapter - Display all the DHCP class IDs allowed for adapter
ipconfig /setclassid adapter - Modify DHCP class ID

Aside from Ip configuration, you can also do some commands like Ping
Ping Command is used to test the network connection

You can Ping the ip address by simply typing
ping 192.168.x.x
Ping the modem by typing the default gateway; ping a website by typing the url after the word ping (ping www.yahoo.com)

How to Perform an IP Configuration in Windows XP

We're done discussing some troubleshooting steps for some modem issues. Now, we are going to a more detailed part of troubleshooting. I will begin it with "How To Perform an IP Configuration" for different Operating Systems like Windows XP, Vista and Macintosh.

We will start with Windows XP.
Why do we need to perform an IP Configuration? First, IP Configuration will provide you a detailed information and will help you to locate the following:
◘ IP Address - is a numerical label that is assigned to devices participating in a computer network utilizing the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.
◘ Subnet Mask - is a logically visible, distinctly addressed part of a single Internet Protocol network.
◘ Default Gateway - is a node (a router) on a TCP/IP Network that serves as an access point to another network.

Other uses of IP Configuration
◘ Fix some IP related problems (169 IP addess for example)
◘ Renew / Release Ipo address
◘ Flush DNS Control
◘ Ping modem and websites
◘ Fix Winsock Error

Now, let's start with the basic which is how to track the IP ADDRESS.

HOW TO PERFORM AN IP CONFIGURATION IN WINDOWS XP
►Click the "Start" button
►From the start menu click "RUN"
►The "Run" box will appear
►On the text box, just type "CMD" or "COMMAND"►The Command Prompt window will appear or in layman's term, they called it the "black Window or black box"
►Now right where the cursor is blinking, just type "ipconfig"
► Then after a few seconds, the command prompt will response and it will provide you the "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection" info which includes the IP address, Subnet Mask and the Default Gateway.



♫ You can also access the "command Prompt" by choosing "Accessories" from the start menu, then another panel will appear, then choose "Command Prompt".
♫ Or go to the control panel and choose the "Local Area Network Connection" icon. Right click the icon and select "Status" from the option. The "Local Area Connection Status" box will appear. Just click the "Support" tab and it will then provide you the IP information
♫ You can also click the "Local Area Network" icon from your system tray". Right click and choose "Status' from the options. The "Local Area Connection Status" will appear

The DSL Light is not Lit

Before we proceed to the troubleshooting steps, let me have a short recap of all the things we tackeld before about the Modem Sync. We're done discussing about how to troubleshoot your modem if the Power Light in Your Modem is OFF, and so as the Ethernet Light.

The third and next Light after the Ethernet is the DSL Light which is considered as the most important light among all the lights you have in your modem. Westell 2100 and other old version of its kind, DSL is labeled as "Ready Light" while in 2wire 1800 (and other old versions) , DSL is labeled as "Local Network"
But what is DSL? And why do we considered it as the most important light in your Modem? DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL or Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line or DSL for short is a high speed internet service that provides online access and allows you to use the Internet. DSL operates over the standard phone lines just like the dial-up service but it is way much better than the dial up knowing that DSL works much faster and does not tie up with the phone line. Meaning to say, you can use your Internet and your phone at the same time unlike the dial-up system.
You suppose to see three cables connected at the back of your modem; The Power Adapter which is connected to the Power Outlet; The Ethernet Cable which connects your modem to your computer; and the last one which is the Phone Line that connects your modem into the wall Phone jack. From the Phone jack, the computer's digital signal will be sent across the telephone lines in to the central office or what they called DSLAM. DSLAM is the central hub that acts as a switchboard for local DSL clients, routing requests and responses between each client’s computer address and the Internet.
By checking the lights in your modem, if you see that the DSL light in your modem is blinking or not lit at all, there might be a problem in your server. However, there are cases that the problem is also in your part and that is what we are going to discuss.

HOW IF THE DSL LIGHT IN YOUR MODEM IS NOT LIT

►If the DSL Light is not working, the first thing that you have to do is to check the physical connection. As long as you have a steady green light in Power and Ethernet, you can go directly and check the Phone line that connects your modem to the phone jack.
►Do a Sequence Power Cycle
►Make sure that you have a Dual filter installed in your phone jack. Dual Filter acts as a separator, filtering both phone signal and DSL signal. Without a dual filter installed in the phone jack will interrupt your connection.
►Check the other Phone Jacks. Check if all the phone jack is working properly. To test if the phone jack where your modem is currently connected is working, you can bypass your modem temporarily and connect it in each Phone jacks you have in your house. If the DSL lit up, the Phone jack that you're using is the one that causes the trouble. It is advisable to contact a technician to fix the line for you.
►Check other devices connected in all the phone jacks you have. Some devices may interupt the connection. If you're using a TiVo box for example, this may interrupt the DSL signal especially if you don't have any filter installed in each of the phone jacks yu have.
►Bypass the dual filter. To check if the Dual Filter is the one that causes the interruption, bypass the dual filter and connect the DSL cable directly to the phone jack. If the DSL lit up, then the dual filter is either busted o not working properly. Replacement of the dual filter is advisable.
►If you're done with all the steps above and still, the DSL light is OFF, There's a possibility that the modem is not configured correctly.
►In order to configure your modem, we have to enter its GUI or Graphical User Interface.
►Do an IP Configuration to check if we have the correct IP address and Default Gateway. Open the command prompt, type "ipconfig" and get the IP Address and the "Default Gateway"
►If you got the correct IP address, then take note of the Default gateway.
►Leave or close th command prompt and open a browser. (You are not connected yet, so expect to see a "Page Cannot Be Displayed Error" in your webpage. Type the Default Gateway in the address bar (192.168.1.254 for example)
►You must see now the GUI of your modem. The configuration of a modem depends upon the type of modem that you're using. If you don't know how to operate the GUI, it is better to ask for an assistance from your respective ISP or manufacturer.
►After doing all the process above, you should now be connected unless you have this following issues
◘ Conflict with the firewall settings
◘ There's an Outage in your Area
◘ Billing Issue
◘ Newly Installed Modem. After the installation of your modem, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are now connected. It may also takes time depending upon the time frame povided by your ISP.
◘ Disconnected in Error. Contact your ISP

Our next and last Modem Light to discuss is the Internet Light!