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| reset the network adapter Local Area | | | | address changes, outdated information in |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