Network map shows dashed = signs. What does this mean?

Question

Network map shows dashed = signs. What does this mean?

Anonymous

I have 2 computers, both of which are successfully connected to the Internet via wifi, no cables.

One computer has Windows Vista, the other Windows 7.

Both can connect to the internet, but I am trying to diagnose a problem with a piece of FTP software, so I inspected the Network map.

What do the dashed equal signs mean in the diagram?

It looks like this on the Vista computer:

Computer ==== = = = = Wifi -------------------------Internet

On the W7 computer, I can see the Vista computer, but the network map looks like this:

What does the question mark mean?

W7 computer --------------?

(There is a vertical line connecting the question mark with the Wifi below.)

Vista Computer = = = = = Wifi ------------------Internet

Can someone provide these definitions or point me to an article about these symbols?

Thank you.

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1 answer

Answer 1

Hi Marjorie,

The network map is a graphical view of the computers and devices on your network, showing how they are connected. Sometimes Windows can't detect all of the computers and devices on a network, or can't place all of the computers and devices in the right location on the map.

The question mark between your router and computer indicates that your computer doesn't know its default gateway to connect to internet. If the computer is connected to an unknown device (?), you can follow this thread (ignore Method 3).

Refer: Networking home computers running different versions of Windows

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/networking-home-computers-running-different-windows#networking-home-computers-running-different-windows=windows-7&section_8

Hope this information helps.