The Microsoft Loopback adapter is a tool for testing in a virtual network environment where access to a network is not feasible. Also, the Loopback adapter is essential if there are conflicts with a network adapter or a network adapter driver. Network clients, protocols, and so on, can be bound to the Loopback adapter, and the network adapter driver or network adapter can be installed at a later time while retaining the network configuration information. The Loopback adapter can also be installed during the unattended installation process.

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Manual Installation

1.	Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Hardware.
2.	Click Add/Troubleshoot a device, and then click Next.
3.	Click Add a new device, and then click Next.
4.	Click No, I want to select the hardware from a list, and then click Next.
5.	Click Network adapters, and then click Next.
6.	In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft.
7.	In the Network Adapter box, click Microsoft Loopback Adapter, and then click Next.
8.	Click Finish.

After the adapter is installed successfully, you can configure its options manually, as with any other adapter. Note that if the TCP/IP properties are configured to use DHCP (the default), the adapter will eventually use an autonet address (169.254.x.x/16) because it is not actually connected to any physical media.

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Unattended Installation

Modify the Unattend.txt file using the following example as a guide to install the Microsoft Loopback adapter:

[NetAdapters]
Adapter01=Params.Adapter01

[Params.Adapter01]
InfID="*msloop" ; Microsoft Loopback Adapter
ConnectionName = "MS Loopback Adapter"

[NetProtocols]
MS_TCPIP=Params.MS_TCPIP

; TCP/IP parameters
; Use parameter values specific to your network
[Params.MS_TCPIP]
AdapterSections=params.TCPIP.Adapter01
DNS=yes
DNSSuffixSearchOrder=mycorp.com
EnableLMHosts=No

; Adapter Specific TCP/IP parameters
; Use parameter values specific to your network
[params.TCPIP.Adapter01]
SpecificTo=Adapter01
DNSDomain=mycorp.com
DNSServerSearchOrder=192.168.5.251
WINS=no
DHCP=no
IPAddress=192.168.5.10
SubnetMask=255.255.255.0
DefaultGateway=192.168.5.254
				

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