Mastering Network Diagnostic Functions Using Command Prompt

For Windows users, the control panel is the most common way to manage your operating system. Throughout the years, it has proven to be a very convenient and straightforward feature in OS. However, the control panel has certain limitations when it comes to fixing network problems, a prevalence that Forbes sees as the price we pay to live in such an interconnected world. A highly connected digital age means that knowledge on network diagnostic functions has become an essential part of troubleshooting your computer system. If you want to keep full access and control over your network diagnostic functions, we highly advise mastering the use of the command prompt.

Command prompt gives a person a more direct line of communication with your computer. It makes it easier to instruct it to perform various tasks, especially in relation to networking problems. What’s essential is to know the specific commands that help you converse with your computer the best. Learning how to fix network issues is key to preparing for a Cisco Certification. Developing a “concrete understanding of computer networks and their functions” is integral to entering the world of computer technology. This will help you in certification exams, not to mention improve your proficiency in other facets of computers, like coding. If you want to master tools like SQL and HTML, you must be able to address network issues as soon as they happen. Not only will understanding network diagnostics help you in your programming and web languages, it gives you a competitive edge in the IT workforce. This is why Yoss outlines how skills in SQL and HTML are among the most in-demand right now amongst tech freelancers. Solving network problems always begins with diagnostics, which is why it's vital to know these commands. In this article, we will be discussing the different commands, which you can input via command prompt to help you properly master your network diagnostic functions.

Ping

The ping command is the most basic and most used command, but it’s also the most essential. This command helps test the ability of one computer to communicate with another. TechGenix says it’s as simple as entering the command followed by the name or IP address of the destination host. If there aren’t any problems, the four packets sent to the remote host computer should come back to the host initiating the command, indicating that a clear and functional network path exists between the two.

NSLookup

This stands for Name Server Lookup and is a great utility for finding out the name and IP address behind a certain domain name system. It’s important to note that not all domain names are tied to a specified IP address, meaning that every time you run the command you might get a different address. Make Use Of suggests that “if you want to convert an IP address into a domain name, just type it into your browser and see where it leads.”

NetStat

NetStat is your go-to command if you’re experiencing issues with network communications. As the name suggests, Network Statistics helps in pinpointing the root cause of the problem. Aside from statistics, it’s a tool that helps in diagnostics and analysis. The command is very complex and has a handful of functions, but in its most basic form it’s there to list the device’s network summary information. It shows all your system’s active connections whether linked through LAN or across the internet. This comes in handy in determining port information and if you need to forward ports.

Tracert

Tracert is an abbreviation of Trace Route. Similar to Ping, it sends out a data packet to troubleshoot network problems. What it does differently is it traces the path to a remote host from server to server. This allows the command to identify the routers through which the data packet passes through. When available, it also displays the IP address and domain name of each server.

These are just a few fundamentals commands you can work with to run network diagnostics. Take note that Command Prompt works for most problems, but it might not be the best fit all the time. However, having experience in navigating network diagnostics through Command Prompt may come in handy when you least expect it.