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.
Manual Installation
| 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.
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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.
APPLIES TO
| Microsoft Windows 2000 Server |
| • | Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server |
| • | Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition |
| • | Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server |
