If you ever wondered why how in Windows – as of Vista – the NCIS (network connection status indicator) determines if you have a valid internet connection, it is pretty simple, as both these pages explain:
- What do Microsoft and NCSI have in common? | TechRepublic.
- Windows 7 Network Awareness: How Windows knows it has an internet connection « Super User Blog.
- Appendix K: Network Connectivity Status Indicator and Resulting Internet Communication in Windows Vista.
- Appendix H: Network Connectivity Status Indicator and Resulting Internet Communication in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
NCIS depends on the msftncis.com domain (link to the checks from IntoDNS) and is for supporting Network Awareness in applications.
The probing is done in this order: Read the rest of this entry »
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 