How the Network and Sharing Center Works

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

The Network and Sharing Center classifies networks by their location, including private, public, or domain networks. The network location type controls the default security applied to network traffic going to and from that network. For more information, see Network Location Types.

Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008 support a new network protocol called Link-Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) protocol. This protocol, along with the software components that implement it, allows the operating system to diagram your network graphically. For more information, see Network Map.

Additional references

For more information about the Network and Sharing Center, see these topics:

• Network and Sharing Center Functionality and Navigation

• Sharing and Discovery

• Network Diagnostics Framework

• Dialing Rules and Canonical Address Format

• Network and Sharing Center Tools and Settings

• Additional Resources for Network and Sharing Center