| Network Diagnostic Tools in Windows Vista | | | | machines by name, the DNS client software on the |
| In the Network Sharing Center there is a Diagnose | | | | computer stores names and IP addresses as they |
| and Repair link that will scan your system for | | | | are resolved. This is so that the name can be |
| network issues. This diagnostic pings the remote | | | | resolved without sending a repeat request to the |
| host. If it is not found, you have the option to reset | | | | DNS server. If a remote computer's IP address |
| the network adapter Local Area Connection. | | | | changes, outdated information in this cache can cause |
| In addition to the automated Network Diagnostics | | | | connections by name to fail. Run this command on |
| interface, several tools are included with Windows | | | | the local machine to clear the cache. |
| Vista that can be used to test network components | | | | Ping |
| and connectivity. | | | | The ping command verifies IP-level connectivity to |
| Basic Tools | | | | another TCP/IP computer by sending ICMP Echo |
| The following tools are fundamental in connectivity | | | | Request messages. The receipt of corresponding |
| and name resolution troubleshooting. In addition, they | | | | Echo Reply messages is displayed along with |
| are useful when troubleshooting failures with | | | | round-trip times. |
| applications that communicate on the network or | | | | Ping is the primary TCP/IP command used to |
| Internet. | | | | troubleshoot connectivity, reachability, and name |
| Ipconfig | | | | resolution. |
| The Ipconfig command line tool displays all current | | | | Because firewalls typically block ICMP traffic, ping |
| TCP/IP network configuration values. Used without | | | | does not receive a response from a system with a |
| parameters, the ipconfig command displays the IP | | | | firewall configured. Check the firewall settings to |
| address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all | | | | ensure Ping or ICMP Echo is enabled while you are |
| adapters. In addition, you can use the following | | | | troubleshooting. |
| commands:ipconfig /all - If you want to see more | | | | Tracert |
| detailed information on the configuration for all | | | | The Trace Route (Tracert.exe) command determines |
| interfaces on the computer, use this | | | | the path taken to a destination by sending ICMP |
| command.ipconfig /release - This command releases | | | | Echo Request messages to the destination with |
| any DHCP addresses assigned to interfaces on the | | | | incrementally increasing Time to Live (TTL) field |
| computer. You can typically use it before the next | | | | values. The path displayed is the list of near-side |
| command.ipconfig /renew - This command causes | | | | router interfaces of the routers in the path between |
| the DHCP client service to request network | | | | a source host and a destination. The near-side |
| addresses for all network connections. It is useful | | | | interface is the interface of the router closest to the |
| when you encounter connectivity problems and | | | | sending host in the path. |
| suspect a bad address. It is also used when | | | | This command is useful for troubleshooting |
| troubleshooting name resolution failures to ensure the | | | | connectivity failures when you can ping the default |
| interface has the correct DNS server addresses | | | | gateway but cannot ping Internet servers. Such a |
| assigned.ipconfig /flushdns - This command clears the | | | | situation can indicate a failure in the routing from the |
| local DNS resolver cache. When you connect to | | | | client machine to the Internet. |