Method and system for configuring computers to connect to networks using network connection objects

A method of connecting a computer to one of a plurality of different networks, comprising:

• obtaining configuration information about each of the different networks, the configuration information for each network obtained independent of a connection thereto, the configuration information for each network identifying a device media type operative to connect to that network;
• maintaining the configuration information for each network in a data structure associated with that network, the data structure being an object that is independent of other data structures associated with other networks and including methods and data therein;
• receiving a request from a user to connect to a particular one of the networks;
• retrieving the configuration information from the data structure for that network;
• setting network connection parameter values based on the retrieved configuration information, including executing at least one method of the object;
• and
• connecting to the network via the parameter values.

A computer-readable medium of a local computer having stored therein a plurality of data structures, each data structure including configuration information for configuring the local computer to connect to a network, each data structure comprising;

• a first data field associated with the data structure to uniquely identify the data structure relative to other data structures on the medium,
• a second data field including data representing a unique identifier of a device instance for connecting the local computer to a network independent of an existing connection to the network,
• a third data field data representing a device media type corresponding to the device instance;
• and
• executable code including at least one method that connects the local computer system to the network based on the configuration information.