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Difference between MS Loopback Adapter and 127.0.0.1

Difference between MS Loopback Adapter and 127.0.0.1

How is using the MS Loopback Adapter any different than using 127.0.0.1?
The loopback address, 127.0.0.1, is a special IP address that any networked computer (Windows, UNIX, or other) will recognize as addressing the local system. The MS Loopback Adapter is a driver that simulates having a physical network card. You can add any IP address to the MS Loopback Adapter and even use it to create routing loops. Since the MS Loopback Adapter is only a piece of software, your traffic doesn't go anywhere. The MS Loopback Adapter is generally used for testing purposes to trick software into thinking a network card is connected when there isn't a network connection available.

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This was first published in May 2001

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