Windows has a whole array of helpful command line tools for configuring and testing Internet and LAN connections. The following is a list of useful network commands that can be used from the command prompt. A lot of these commands are intended for administrating a network, but they are great for savvy home users as well. All of the tools are run by opening a Command window and entering the appropriate command. Go to Start-Run and enter “cmd” to open a Command window.
- net – Used to start, stop and view networking operations.
- ipconfig – Displays the IP Address and other TCP/IP information on your system.
- netstat – Returns protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections.
- hostname – Displays the Microsoft networking computer name.
- lpq – Displays the print queue status of an LPD printer.
- ping – Verify the connectivity or a host across a network.
- nbtstat – Returns protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections.
- ipxroute – Displays and modifies IPX routing tables.
- route – Manipulates TCP/IP routing information
- tracert – Displays route taken by an ICMP to a remote host.
- finger – Displays information about the user
- arp – Displays or modifies information in the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache
- getmac – Lists the MAC (Media Access Control) Address on the computer network interfaces
Add /? to the command will provide more information e.g. ipconfig show more information about ipconfig command.
Some Applications:
- Display Connection Configuration: ipconfig /all
- Display DNS Cache Info Configuration: ipconfig /displaydns
- Clear DNS Cache: ipconfig /flushdns
- Release All IP Address Connections: ipconfig /release
- Renew All IP Address Connections: ipconfig /renew
- Re-Register the DNS connections: ipconfig /registerdns
- Change/Modify DHCP Class ID: ipconfig /setclassid
- Network Connections: control netconnections
- Network Setup Wizard: netsetup.cpl
- Test Connectivity: ping www.tomstricks.com
- Trace IP address Route: tracert
- Displays the TCP/IP protocol sessions: netstat
- Display Local Route: route
- Display Resolved MAC Addresses: arp
- Display Name of Computer Currently on: hostname
- Display DHCP Class Information:ipconfig /showclassid
Notes:
- Some command-line tools require the user to have administrator-level privileges on source and/or target computers.
- You must have the TCP/IP network protocol installed to use the TCP/IP utilities.