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 If it is not found, | | | | outdated information in this cache can cause |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