MS Loopback Adapter - Win 7 Pro SP1

bod1467

I have a PC system which requires a "network" connection to allow some services to run, but doesn't have any physical network connection. (And can't have one ... I can't go into the reasons why not, and they don't change the nature of my question. The PC has 2 NICs but I have these disabled as they can never connect to anything).

To work around this I was advised to install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter, configure it with an IP address and subnet mask (e.g. 10.1.1.10 / 255.255.255.0) and no gateway address. This works and allows the services to run.

However ... following a PC reboot it takes ages for networking to start up (i.e. several minutes), and none of the processes and applications I need to use will start properly until networking has established. (In my case with a yellow warning triangle saying there is no internet connection - which there never can be or will be).

Whilst I can work around this using a BAT file to wait for networking to be established before starting the processes and applications, is there any setting I can add/change/delete to speed up this process of networking starting up?

Thanks for any help. (I have tried Dr. Google but can't find any useful info ... maybe I'm not using good search terms).

Big_Graeme

Can't you do this with a line in your HOST file?

bod1467

Sorry - should have said. Already have the PC name mapped to the IP address in the HOSTS file. Makes no difference with respect to startup time for networking.

And having only the HOSTS file does not work (for the processes) ... it needs to see a network adapter. (Sorry but I can't go into details regarding the system).

AndyPandyPoos

Has the PC been joined to a Domain? Cant see why its waiting to timeout (behind the scenes) if its not.
Things I would try if you havent already:

• Untick 'File and Printer sharing' from the adapter.
• Dont enter any DNS servers - You've said your using the hosts file.
• Modify your BAT, so the loopback adapter is enabled on starup (prior to your services starting) and disabled on shutdown. (
  netsh interface set interface "Name of Loopback" DISABLED/ENABLED

Last option means a NIC of any sort will not be available on startup until your logged in. May / may not suit your environment though.

bsod

what software is trying to connect to the internet

what services require a network connection that doesn't work and network cards that are disabled.

bod1467

As far as I am aware NOTHING requires to connect to the internet. In fact everything works just fine with no internet connection. The problem is the time taken for networking to resolve itself before other processes will work properly.

I've already said I can't divulge details of the'system ... all I can say is it's my company's process control software that is normally used in a domain environment, and so expects to see a network connection. In this case it is being used standalone ... it connects via Modbus RTU through an RS232 serial connection to a PLC, and there is NO external network connection.

There is no domain - this is a standalone PC set up as a Workgroup PC. And I've tried unticking everything except IPv4 in the loopback adapter - no change.

I have tried looking at services.msc to see if anything is Starting pending networking being resolved, but by the time services shows up then everything is in the expected state.

Thanks for the thoughts anyway.

bsod

if it's setup to login to a domain, login locally instead, if the machine can't find a domain or any cache, it may stall.

it's not clear what something is causing the no internet connection error, if this software is running at startup, disable it. If it's company or proprietary piece of software, there should be some support available

debitcardmayhem

Since the NICs are disabled and and any Wireless Adapter and any IEE1394 adaptors , then all you need in the hosts file is 127.0.0.1 localhost (oh and ::1 localhost6 assuming the OS aupports TCP 6) , you don't need a loopback adaptor .

127.0.0.1 is the local loopback..... as is ::1

debitcardmayhem

Addendum.... of course since this machine cannot access the internet has it got ALL of its A/V, defender et al turned off?

bod1467

Due to the way the software works I can't use 12.0.0.1 - I was explicitly told that by the support group. (One of the few things they have told me).

It doesn't have any AV installed. I've not checked Windows Defender - I'll do that today.

System

Hi

Try a short patch / crossover cable between the 2 NIC's on the machine.

A loopback may be possible by taking a short patch cable, and cutting off a plug one end and connecting the wires to each other.

So that it transmits and receives to it's own self. Like making a crossover.

1 - 3
2 - 6
3 - 1
6 - 2

http://www.incentre.net/tech-support/other-support/ethernet-cable-color-coding-diagram/

I do have one somewhere, and it may just fool itself.

However I fall over in understanding the NEED for a network connection if both NIC's are disabled.

I would go along with the host's idea, perhaps map NIC1 to NIC2 and vice versa.