Introduction
In computer networks, the ability to diagnose, monitor, and troubleshoot connectivity issues
is critical for maintaining efficient data communication. Modern operating systems, such as
Microsoft Windows, include a suite of command-line network utilities that provide direct
insight into IP configurations, routing paths, and connection states. These tools are especially
valuable for students and professionals working in the fields of computer science,
information technology, and network administration.
This report focuses on six core networking commands: ipconfig, ping, tracert,
netstat, pathping, and route. Each command serves a distinct purpose in network
diagnostics. For instance, ‘ipconfig’ reveals IP addressing and adapter configurations, while
‘ping’ checks ICMP-level connectivity. ‘tracert’ maps the hop-by-hop path to a destination
host, and ‘netstat’ lists open ports and active connections. ‘pathping’ provides a combined
analysis of route performance and packet loss, whereas ‘route’ allows inspection and
modification of the system’s routing table.
These tools are essential in scenarios such as identifying misconfigured gateways, detecting
latency bottlenecks, confirming DNS resolution, and tracing data flow in complex topologies.
This report outlines the syntax, usage, and practical examples of each command, offering a
foundational guide for network diagnostics and performance analysis in academic and
professional settings.
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1. Ipconfig
The ‘ipconfig’ (Internet Protocol Configuration) command is a diagnostic tool used in
Windows operating systems to display and manage the current TCP/IP configuration of a
computer. It provides information about IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and
the status of network interfaces.
When executed without parameters, ‘ipconfig’ displays basic network information such as
the IP address assigned to each adapter, the default gateway, and the subnet mask. This is
particularly useful for verifying local IP configurations and identifying issues like duplicate
IP addresses or missing IP allocations.
Using the ‘/all’ switch (i.e., ‘ipconfig /all’) gives detailed information, including DHCP
status, MAC addresses (physical addresses), DNS servers, lease time, and more. This level of
detail is essential for network administrators during advanced troubleshooting, such as
verifying DNS resolution issues or DHCP misconfigurations.
Additional useful switches include:
• ‘ipconfig /release’: Releases the current DHCP-assigned IP address.
• ‘ipconfig /renew’: Requests a new IP address from the DHCP server.
• ‘ipconfig /flushdns’: Clears the local DNS cache, which can resolve domain
resolution problems.
• ‘ipconfig /displaydns’: Shows the contents of the DNS resolver cache.
‘ipconfig’ is fundamental in identifying local configuration problems, checking network
adapter status, and initiating changes without requiring GUI-based tools. It is often the first
command used when diagnosing connectivity problems on Windows systems.
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Example :- ipconfig is used for view IP, gateway, and adapter settings.
Input:
Output:
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2. Ping
The ‘Ping’ command is a fundamental network diagnostic tool used to test connectivity
between the host computer and another device on the network or internet. It operates using
the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) and sends a series of echo request packets to
the target IP address or domain name. If the destination is reachable, it replies with echo reply
packets.
A typical ‘Ping’command is: This sends 4 ICMP requests by default, showing the round-trip
time for each and packet loss statistics.
Ping google.com
Key output includes:
• Reply from: Confirms the host is reachable.
• Time: Shows the latency in milliseconds.
• TTL (Time to Live): Indicates how many network hops the packet took.
Common uses of ‘ping’:
• Check if a host is online.
• Measure latency.
• Detect packet loss or unreliable connections.
Useful switches:
• ping -t [host]: Pings continuously until manually stopped.
• ping -n [count] [host]: Sends a specific number of pings.
• ping -l [size] [host]: Sends packets of a specified size (useful for testing MTU
issues).
Limitations:
• Some firewalls block ICMP, so a failed ping doesn’t always mean a host is offline.
• It does not trace routes or analyse detailed network paths.
Ping remains one of the most effective first-line tools for network troubleshooting, helping
users determine basic connectivity between local and remote systems.
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Example :- ping is used for test connectivity to another host.
Input:
Output:
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3. Tracert
The tracert (short for “trace route”) command is used in Windows to trace the path that
packets take from the local computer to a remote host. It is particularly useful for identifying
routing problems and pinpointing where delays or failures occur in a network.
Tracert works by sending a series of ICMP Echo Requests with increasing Time-To-Live
(TTL) values. Each router that handles the packet decrements the TTL by one; when TTL
reaches zero, the router discards the packet and sends back an ICMP "Time Exceeded"
message. This allows tracert to identify each hop between the source and destination.
A basic usage:
tracert google.com
Output: Each line in the output represents one “hop” in the route, including:
• Hop number
• Round-trip time for three packets (in milliseconds)
• IP address or hostname of the router
• This helps visualize the journey your packets take through the internet, from your
local gateway to the final server.
Common uses:
• Locate slow or failing network nodes.
• Identify where routing issues occur.
• Confirm that data is reaching its intended destination.
Limitations:
• Some routers may block or deprioritize ICMP packets, appearing as “Request timed
out.”
• Routes can change frequently, so results may vary between tests.
tracert is invaluable for understanding complex network paths and is commonly used in
conjunction with ping and pathping for comprehensive diagnostics.
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Example :- tracert is used for trace route to a destination.
Input:
Output:
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4. Netstat
The netstat (network statistics) command is a powerful utility used to display detailed
information about a computer’s active network connections, listening ports, routing tables,
and protocol statistics. It is particularly useful for network administrators and cybersecurity
professionals to monitor network activity and diagnose issues.
Basic usage:
netstat
This displays all active TCP connections. However, netstat becomes most effective when
used with switches.
Commonly used options:
netstat -a: Displays all connections and listening ports.
netstat -n: Shows addresses and port numbers in numeric format (avoids DNS
lookup delay).
netstat -o: Displays the Process ID (PID) for each connection,
useful for
identifying which application owns a connection.
netstat -b: Shows the executable associated with each connection (requires admin
privileges).
netstat -r: Displays the routing table (similar to route print).
Typical output includes:
Protocol (TCP/UDP)
Local and foreign (remote) addresses and ports
Connection state (e.g., LISTENING, ESTABLISHED, TIME_WAIT)
Uses of netstat:
Identify suspicious open ports or active connections (e.g., malware communication).
Detect unauthorized remote access.
Troubleshoot applications unable to bind to a port.
Monitor the number of concurrent connections to a server.
Limitations:
Shows a snapshot, not continuous monitoring (use tools like Wireshark for that).
Does not show ICMP traffic.
netstat is essential for understanding how a system communicates over the network and
diagnosing performance or security-related concerns.
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Example :- netstat is used for show active connections and ports.
Input:
Output:
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5.Pathping
The pathping command is a hybrid diagnostic tool in Windows that combines the
functionality of ping and tracert. It traces the route to a target host and then performs a
detailed analysis of packet loss and latency at each hop along the route. It’s particularly
useful for identifying intermittent or persistent issues in network paths, such as congested
routers or packet drops.
Basic usage:
pathping google.com
How it works:
1. First, pathping traces the route to the destination, similar to tracert.
2. Then it sends multiple ping-like packets (typically 100) to each hop and gathers
statistics over 125 seconds (by default).
Output includes:
Each hop along the path with round-trip time.
Packet loss percentage at each hop.
Latency and variability of each router.
Key benefits:
More accurate than ping and tracert alone because it provides per-hop loss and
latency.
Helps distinguish between local network issues and backbone/router issues.
Great for diagnosing problems with VoIP, gaming, or real-time applications that are
sensitive to jitter and loss.
Useful options:
pathping -n: Disables hostname resolution for faster results.
pathping -h [max_hops]: Sets the maximum number of hops to search.
Limitations:
Takes longer to execute (typically over 2 minutes).
May be affected by ICMP filtering on intermediate routers.
pathping is a comprehensive tool for end-to-end network performance diagnostics,
especially when deeper analysis is needed beyond simple connectivity tests.
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Example :- pathping is used for analyze path and packet loss.
Input:
Output :
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6. Route
The route command in Windows is used to view and manipulate the IP routing table of a
system. The routing table determines how packets are forwarded to different networks and
devices. This command is particularly useful for network administrators and advanced users
managing static routes or troubleshooting complex networking setups.
Basic usage:
route print
This displays the current routing table, including:
Destination network
Netmask
Gateway
Interface
Metric (priority for route selection)
Each entry tells the system how to handle outbound packets based on their destination
address. The routing table includes local routes, default gateways, and network interface
routes.
Common commands:
route add [destination] mask [subnet mask] [gateway]: Adds a new static
route. Example:
route add 192.168.2.0 mask 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
route delete [destination]: Removes a route.
route change [destination]: Modifies an existing route.
route -f: Clears all routes (use with caution).
Use Cases:
Add routes to internal networks in multi-router environments.
Redirect traffic through specific gateways.
Override default routes for testing or temporary redirection.
Limitations:
Changes made without the -p switch are temporary (lost after reboot).
Misconfigured routes can block access or cause loops.
route is a powerful but advanced tool for managing IP traffic flow. When used correctly, it
provides precise control over how data is routed within and outside local networks.
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Example :- route is used for display or modify the routing table.
Input:
Output:
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Command Description Example Usage
ipconfig View IP, gateway, and ipconfig /all
adapter settings
ping Test connectivity to another ping 8.8.8.8
host
tracert Trace route to a destination tracert google.com
netstat Show active connections netstat -an
and ports
pathping Analyze path and packet pathping yahoo.com
loss
route Display or modify the route print
routing table
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering basic network commands such as ipconfig, ping, tracert,
netstat, pathping, and route is essential for effective network monitoring and
troubleshooting. Each of these commands serves a specific and valuable purpose in
diagnosing connectivity issues and understanding how data moves across networks.
ipconfig is the starting point for identifying the system's IP configuration, including the
default gateway and DNS servers. ping helps check basic connectivity with a host or server
by sending echo requests and measuring response time. tracert goes a step further by
showing the exact path packets take to reach their destination, which is useful for identifying
slow or failing network segments.
netstat provides detailed information about current network connections, open ports, and
listening services, making it a crucial tool for identifying unauthorized or suspicious activity.
pathping combines the functionality of ping and tracert to give detailed hop-by-hop
analysis and packet loss statistics. Finally, the route command allows users to view and
manage the system’s routing table, providing insight into how traffic is directed.
Together, these six commands form a powerful toolkit for network diagnostics and
administration, helping users maintain stable, secure, and well-optimized network
environments.
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Shri Shivaji Education society Amravati
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Polytechnic
Subject – CND
TOPIC – Runbasic utilities and network commands:
ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat, pathping, route
6th Semester
Branch – Electronic Engineering
Academic session- 2024-2025
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Title of the micro project: Runbasic utilities and network commands: ipconfig, ping,
tracert, netstat, pathping, route.
GROUP DETAILS
SR ROLL
NO NAME OF STUDENT
NO
1 KUMAR GALE 59
2 VEDANT MANGALKAR 05
3 SHYAM SHELKE 43
4 SANSKAR BARBUDE 09
5 SUYASH SHINGNE 10
6 ATHARVA GOMASE 53
Teacher Signature
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INDEX
Sr. No. Content Page No.
1 Introduction 1
2 Ipconfig 2
3 Ping 4
4 Tracert 6
5 Netstat 8
6 Pathping 10
7 Route 12
8 Conclusion 14
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