How to install Microsoft Loopback adapter in Windows XP

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 these 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,