How to use ping, winipcfg, and other network commands

Updated: 07/13/2023 by Computer Hope

Below is a listing of the various network related commands used in MS-DOS, Windows command line, 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.

Arp

Display or manipulate the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) information on a network device or computer.

  • See the arp command page for further help and information.

Finger

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, and 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.

Hostname

The hostname command displays the hostname of the computer.

Ipconfig

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 and verify your network settings.

Windows 2000 users should use this command to determine network information.

Nbtstat

The nbtstat MS-DOS utility that displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT (NetBIOS over TCP/IP).

  • See the nbtstat command page for further help on this MS-DOS and Windows command.

Net

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.

Netstat

The netstat command displays the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.

Nslookup

The nslookup MS-DOS utility lets users do a reverse lookup on an IP (Internet Protocol) address of a domain or host on a network.

Pathping

Pathping is an MS-DOS utility available for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP users. This utility lets users find network latency and network loss.

Ping

Ping is one of the most commonly used network commands that let you ping a network IP address. Pinging an IP address helps determine if the network card can communicate in the local network or outside network.

Windows command line ping command

Route

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 displays a list 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, or network device causing your connectivity issue.

Whois

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. Sometimes, the domain information are provided from Network Solutions.

Winipcfg

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.

Tip

Windows 2000, Windows XP and above users do not have winipcfg. Instead, use ipconfig.