Using Network Command-Line Tools

Windows contains several command-line tools for troubleshooting and configuring the network. These include

• Net ” Displays and uses network resources.

• Ping ” Tests TCP/IP and Internet connections.

• Tracert ” Traces the route between a specified Web site or IP address and your PC.

• NSLookup ” Displays detailed information about DNS.

• IPConfig ” Displays detailed TCP/IP configuration about your Windows NT/2000/XP system.

caution

You should enable the firewall on all computers that use the Internet except those that provide shared resources to other computers. Enabling the firewall on these systems blocks access to shared resources.

WinIPCfg is used by Windows 9x/Me to perform tasks similar to IPConfig . Start WinIPCfg from Start, Run. See the "Windows Command Reference" on the CD for more information about these commands.