Multiple Instances of Network Interface in Performance Monitor

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

When the TCP/IP protocol is installed on a Windows NT system, you have the option in Performance Monitor to select the "Network Interface" object with multiple instances listed in the "Instance" section. This article explains what these multiple instances are.

MORE INFORMATION

The Network Interface object is specific to IP. The instances in the Network Interface counter refer to the loopback address (127.0.0.1), the network card (if any), the dial-out WAN wrapper for each device bound under RAS, and the dial-in WAN wrapper for each device bound under RAS. The instances will always list the loopback address 127.0.0.1 first and the remaining instances should match the binding order of the TCP/IP protocol. To view the binding order for TCP/IP, choose Control Panel Network and click the Bindings button. In the Show Bindings For list, select TCP/IP Protocol.

NOTE: If RAS does not use IP for a device, it is not counted.

For example: If you have IP running on a network card, an ISDN card (dial- in/dial-out), and one communications port (dial-out only), but you also have another communications port set to dial-in/dial-out but using only NetBEUI, you would have the following instances:

   Instance 1: Loopback adapter (127.0.0.1)
   Instance 2: Network card
   Instance 3: ISDN dial out
   Instance 4: ISDN dial in
   Instance 5: Modem dial out