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 edit
To prepare for this activity:
- Start Windows.
- Log in if necessary.
Activity 1 - Confirm DHCP Address edit
- Open a command prompt.
- 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 edit
- Use ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
- Observe the results. The ping request should be successful, indicating Internet connectivity.
Activity 3 - Obtain a Link-Local Address edit
To obtain a link-local address:
- Type ipconfig /release and press Enter to release any DHCP-assigned IP addresses.
- Observe that no IPv4 address is assigned.
- 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).
- If IPv6 is configured, you should also see a link local IPv6 address starting with fe80::/64.
Activity 4 - Test the Link-Local Address edit
To test the link-local address:
- Use ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
- 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 edit
To restore a DHCP-assigned address:
- Type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
- Observe the results. An IP address should be assigned from the DHCP server.
Activity 6 - Test Internet Connectivity edit
- Use ping 8.8.8.8 to ping an Internet host by IP address.
- Observe the results. The ping request should be successful, indicating Internet connectivity.
- Close the command prompt to complete this activity.