ARCHIVED: In Windows, what are some networking commands I can use from the command prompt?

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Note: UITS recommends that you use a current version of Windows on computers connected to the Indiana University network; see Recommended Windows operating systems at IU.

Following are some useful networking commands you can enter at the command prompt:

net
Used to start, stop, and view many networking operations

Note: net is just the first part of the command; you'll need to combine it with a second command, for example, net config or net use. Available second commands vary depending on which version of Windows you have. To get a list of available options, enter net ?.

ipconfig
Displays the IP address and other TCP/IP configuration information for your workstation
hostname
Displays the Microsoft networking computer name
ping
Verifies existence of remote host (connectivity)
netsh
A network shell that provides access to many networking commands; available in Windows 7, Vista, and XP. For instructions, see Using Netsh on Microsoft TechNet.
netstat
Returns protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections
nbtstat
NetBIOS over TCP/IP; gives statistics and technical NetBIOS information for the TCP/IP layer
ipxroute
Displays and modifies IPX routing tables; not available in Windows 7 or Vista
route
Manipulates TCP/IP routing information
tracert
Displays route taken by an ICMP to a remote host
finger
Displays information about the user; finger is turned off in IU's ADS domain.
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; available only in Windows 7, Vista, and XP
lpq
Displays the print queue status of an LPD printer; available only in Windows XP

For more information on the use of these commands, append /? to the command name in question. For example, entering ping/? will provide more information on the ping command.

This is document acfh in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 10:50:59.