Automatic Metrics and The Ability To Roam Wirelessly

If you have a portable computer, and you've setup a WiFi LAN in your house or office, you'll enjoy the freedom of moving around the house, at will, while still connected to the LAN. Even so, sometimes there will be times when the WiFi connection isn't enough. You'll never get rid of Ethernet, completely.

Most portable computers come with an Ethernet adapter, and a WiFi adapter, installed and activated. The Automatic Metric feature in Windows XP let you leave both connections activated, and will use the fastest connection, that is working, at any time.

You can use automatic metrics (by default), or you can manually change the settings to prefer either connection, using the TCP/IP Properties - Advanced wizard.

NOTE: Using the Automatic Metric feature on a laptop having a role as a server on your LAN may cause problems with the browser infrastructure. Don't carry a server around without understanding the complications.

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