Microsoft Loopback - a tool for testing a virtual network environment where there is no network access, it can be very useful in cases where you need to check or test the connection.

Those of you, who are familiar with routers and switches, could no longer meet with interfaces loopback. In this article we describe the basics of installing loopback adapter on your system to XP, to explain why this is done, and how you can use it.

What is Loopback adapter ?

Loopback adapter – The need to use an Loopback adapter is that, if there are conflicts with the network adapter driver or network adapter, you can bind network clients, network protocols and units of the network configuration to the adapter Loopback, as well, you can install the latest network adapter driver or network adapter itself, retaining the network configuration information.

Manual
To manually install the Microsoft Loopback adapter in Windows XP, follow the easy steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Since is XP, then you can install it this way, or your interface may have a classic look. In any case, go to the icon 'Add Hardware' or 'Printers and Other Hardware'.

2. Start Assistant, which will add hardware to your system. Do not be embarrassed if you have not installed new hardware, just add 'Network Adapter' (AC adapter), which operates as a virtual adapter.

3. Click Next, after you run the assistant. You will see a set of dialog boxes that will ask about scanning the system for changes in hardware, etc. – In this exercise you will do everything manually. No need to run the automatic search is for the reason that you do not have installed, and the search will fail.

4. Further, the assistant will ask you about the hardware is connected. Select Yes and click Next.

5. Now, go to the bottom of the list option to 'Add a new hardware device' and click Next.

6. Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (installation of equipment selected from a list), and click Next.

7. Select 'Network adapters' section of the Common hardware types (basic types of hardware) and click Next.

8. Click Microsoft, then Microsoft Loopback Adapter, and click Next.

Finally, click Finish, to complete the installation.

View and configure Loopback Adapter

• After installation is complete, your computer will be a new customized interface loopback. There are several things that you need to know about using an adapter.
• First, it will appear as a new interface for connection to the properties of My Network Places (My Network Places). It also will reflect the command IPCONFIG, running from the command line.
• Secondly, you'll be surprised to see the Local Area Connection, Local Area Connection 2, Local Area Connection 3, etc. Mouse over each connection, until you see Microsoft Loopback Adapter, as in the picture:

• It is recommended to rename your connection and name it something like 'LOOPBACK', so you can quickly distinguish it from others, and use the command IPCONFIG and verify the result of its implementation to make sure that the LOOPBACK.
• Finally, note that the address assigned to the adapter – this is the subnet address APIPA. APIPA, which stands for Automatic Private IP Addressing (automatic address assignment) – this is the way in which he puts a PC on the network if DHCP is configured but not available. You can use APIPA or hardcoded static IP address for work or testing.
• Until and unless you disable the interface, it will always be appearing, as it cannot disappear as a result of the accident in the system.

Now you can test using this IP address, it will always remain stable.

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3. How To Setup Internet Connection Sharing In Windows XP
4. How to troubleshoot Network Authentication in Win XP SP3
5. How to setup remote desktop connection on Win XP

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