Local Area Network Connection Status
To obtain network connection information in previous versions of windows the command [ipconfig] was invoked from the command prompt. In XP the command line is unnecessary to gather the same information.
Click [Start] [Network Connections] and click Show All Connections.

Right–click the connection you want information about, and then click [Status].
In connection Properties dialog box, click [Support] tab.

For additional information, click [Advanced] tab.
To automatically enable the status monitor each time the connection is active, in the connection Properties dialog box, select the [Show Icon In Notification Area When Connected] check box.

- srikanth dhanwada