Network Basics
Every sysadmin needs to know how to diagnose network connectivity. The "Holy Trinity" of network commands are ipconfig (check settings), ping (check connection), and tracert (check path).
1. Ipconfig
Displays your current TCP/IP network configuration.
Usage:ipconfig
[/all]
[/flushdns]
[/release]
/all
Display full configuration (MAC address, DNS servers).
/flushdns
Purges the DNS Resolver cache. Fixes many connection issues.
2. Ping
Tests the reachability of a host on an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
Command Prompt
C:\Users\User>ping 8.8.8.8
3. Tracert (Trace Route)
Shows the path packets take to reach a destination. Useful for finding where a connection is breaking.
Command Prompt
C:\Users\User>tracert google.com
Knowledge Check
1 / 3Which command clears the DNS cache?