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How to Install Microsoft Loopback Adapter in Windows 2000


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server


SUMMARY

The Microsoft Loopback adapter is a tool for testing in a virtual network environment where access to a network is not feasible. Also, the Loopback adapter is essential if there are conflicts with a network adapter or a network adapter driver. Network clients, protocols, and so on, can be bound to the Loopback adapter, and the network adapter driver or network adapter can be installed at a later time while retaining the network configuration information. The Loopback adapter can also be installed during the unattended installation process.


MORE INFORMATION

Manual Installation

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Hardware.


  2. Click Add/Troubleshoot a device, and then click Next.


  3. Click Add a new device, and then click Next.


  4. Click No, I want to select the hardware from a list, and then click Next.


  5. Click Network adapters, and then click Next.


  6. In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft.


  7. In the Network Adapter box, click Microsoft Loopback Adapter, and then click Next.


  8. Click Finish.


After the adapter is installed successfully, you can configure its options manually, as with any other adapter. Note that if the TCP/IP properties are configured to use DHCP (the default), the adapter will eventually use an autonet address (169.254.x.x/16) because it is not actually connected to any physical media.

Unattended Installation

Modify the Unattend.txt file using the following example as a guide to install the Microsoft Loopback adapter:

[NetAdapters]

Adapter01=Params.Adapter01



[Params.Adapter01]

InfID="*msloop" ; Microsoft Loopback Adapter

ConnectionName = "MS Loopback Adapter"



[NetProtocols]

MS_TCPIP=Params.MS_TCPIP



; TCP/IP parameters

; Use parameter values specific to your network

[Params.MS_TCPIP]

AdapterSections=params.TCPIP.Adapter01

DNS=yes

DNSSuffixSearchOrder=mycorp.com

EnableLMHosts=No



; Adapter Specific TCP/IP parameters

; Use parameter values specific to your network

[params.TCPIP.Adapter01]

SpecificTo=Adapter01

DNSDomain=mycorp.com

DNSServerSearchOrder=192.168.5.251

WINS=no

DHCP=no

IPAddress=192.168.5.10

SubnetMask=255.255.255.0

DefaultGateway=192.168.5.254 

Additional query words: Loopback Adapter

Keywords : kbnetwork
Issue type : kbhowto
Technology : kbwin2000AdvServ kbwin2000AdvServSearch kbwin2000DataServ kbwin2000DataServSearch kbwin2000Serv kbwin2000ServSearch kbwin2000Search kbwin2000ProSearch kbwin2000Pro kbWinAdvServSearch kbWinDataServSearch


Last Reviewed: January 2, 2000
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Article ID: Q236869

Last Reviewed:
January 2, 2000

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