After you have set up your network, you should check for which protocols are installed on the computers. You should remove unnecessary protocols because they can slow down the network communication and, in some cases, pose as a security threat.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the default network protocol installed in XP. Regardless of what version of Windows you are running, TCP/IP is the protocol most often used. As long as all the computers on your network are running the same protocol, you can remove the protocols that are not in use.

You can do so by opening the Network Connections applet within the Control Panel. If you are running Windows 2000, open the Network and Dial-up Connections applet. Right-click your local area connection, under the General tab highlight the unwanted protocol, and click the Uninstall button. Conversely, you can use the Install button to add additional protocols.

If you are running Windows 95/98, click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Open the Network applet, highlight the appropriate protocol and click the Remove button.

[tags]network, xp, networking[/tags]