Link-local address/Windows

A link-local address is an Internet Protocol address that is intended only for communications within the segment of a local network (a link) or a point-to-point connection that a host is connected to. These activities will show you how to view and test IPv4 link-local addresses in Windows.

Preparation
To prepare for this activity:
 * 1) Start Windows.
 * 2) Log in if necessary.

Activity 1 - Confirm DHCP Address

 * 1)  Open a command prompt.
 * 2) Use  ipconfig /all to verify that you have a DHCP-assigned IP address.  You should see DHCP Enabled Yes and a DHCP Server IP address.  If not, just read along with the following activities rather than completing them.

Activity 2 - Test Internet Connectivity

 * 1) Use  ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
 * 2) Observe the results.  The ping request should be successful, indicating Internet connectivity.

Activity 3 - Obtain a Link-Local Address
To obtain a link-local address:
 * 1) Type ipconfig /release and press Enter to release any DHCP-assigned IP addresses.
 * 2) Observe that no IPv4 address is assigned.
 * 3) Wait ten seconds and then type ipconfig and press Enter again.  Repeat if necessary.  After ten seconds, your computer should obtain a link local IP address in the range 169.254.0.0 - 169.254.255.255 (169.254.0.0/16).
 * 4) If IPv6 is configured, you should also see a link local IPv6 address starting with fe80::/64.

Activity 4 - Test the Link-Local Address
To test the link-local address:
 * 1) Use  ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
 * 2) Observe the results.  The ping request should fail, because link-local addresses do not have a default gateway assigned and are not routable to the Internet.

Activity 5 - Restore a DHCP-Assigned Address
To restore a DHCP-assigned address:
 * 1) Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
 * 2) Observe the results.  An IP address should be assigned from the DHCP server.

Activity 6 - Test Internet Connectivity

 * 1) Use  ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
 * 2) Observe the results.  The ping request should be successful, indicating Internet connectivity.
 * 3) Close the command prompt to complete this activity.