Help with ping, winipcfg, and other network commands
Below is a listing of the various network related commands used in MS-DOS, Windows, Linux, Unix, and other operating systems. Each command includes additional information to what the command does, the command's syntax, and miscellaneous information.
Note: If you are not the root or admin of a computer, these commands may not work.
Display or manipulate the ARP information on a network device or computer.
- See the arp command page for further help and information.
The finger command available in Unix and Linux variants allows a user to find sometimes personal information about a user. This information can include the last time the user logged in, when they read their e-mail, etc. If the user creates a .PLAN or other related file the user can also display additional information.
- See the Unix and Linux finger command page for further information and help.
The hostname command displays the host name of the Windows XP computer currently logged into.
- See the hostname command page for further help and information.
Ipconfig is an MS-DOS utility that can be used from MS-DOS and an MS-DOS shell to display the network settings currently assigned and given by a network. This command can be utilized to verify a network connection as well as to verify your network settings.
Windows 2000 users should use this command to determine network information.
- See the ipconfig command page for further information and help.
Pathping is an MS-DOS utility available for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP users. This utility enables a user to find network latency and network loss.
- See the pathping command page for further help and information.
Ping is one of the most commonly used network commands that allows you to ping another network IP address. Pinging another address helps determine if the network card can communicate within the local network or outside network.
- How to ping an IP address or website.
- See the ping command page for further help on the MS-DOS and Windows command line command.
- See the Unix and Linux ping command page for further information on this command.
The nbtstat MS-DOS utility that displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT.
- See the nbtstat command page for further help on this MS-DOS and Windows command.
The net command is available in MS-DOS and Windows and is used to set, view, and determine network settings.
- See the net command page for further information on this command.
The netstat command is used to display the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.
- See the netstat command page for further help with this MS-DOS and Windows command.
- See the Unix and Linux netstat command for further help with this command.
The nslookup MS-DOS utility that enables a user to do a reverse lookup on an IP address of a domain or host on a network.
- See the nslookup command page for further help on this MS-DOS and Windows command.
- See the Unix and Linux nslookup command page for further help with this command.
- Linux users may also be interested in the host command that performs a similar task.
The route MS-DOS utility enables computers to view and modify the computer's route table.
- See the route command page for further information and help with this command.
Tracert and traceroute
The tracert command in MS-DOS and Windows (known as traceroute in Unix-like operating systems) is a useful tool for diagnosing network issues. It allows you to view a listing of how a network packet travels through the network and where it may fail or slow down. Using this information you can determine the computer, router, switch or other network device possibly causing your network issues.
- See the tracert command for further help with the MS-DOS and Windows command.
- See the Unix and Linux traceroute command for further help with this command.
The whois command available in Unix and Linux variants helps allow a user to identify a domain name. This command provides information about a domain name much like the WHOIS on network solutions. In some cases the domain information will be provided from Network Solutions.
- See the Unix and Linux whois command for further information on this command.
The winipcfg command available in Windows allows a user to display network and network adapter information. Here, a user can find such information as an IP address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, etc.
- See the winipcfg command for further information on this command.
Tip: Windows 2000, Windows XP and above users do not have winipcfg. Instead, use ipconfig.