12 Hidden Windows Vista Network Tools

Posted on July 4th, 2007 by Jason

Windows Vista delivers an impressive line up of network tools that can be used to keep the operating system connectivity on a short leash. The total of 12 command-line tools can be used to manage all aspects of Vista networking. Users will be able not only to closely monitor the networking activity of the platform, but also repair network connections. The utilities are not new to Windows Vista, having survived in the operating system from previous Windows versions. Here is the complete list in alphabetical order:

getmac – this tool will enable you to display the MAC addresses for network adapters on a system. The Media Access Control (MAC) address for the network card can be accessed both on the local computer and on a network.
hostname – not sure about what the name of your machine is on the network? Just type hostname and hit enter.

ipconfig – according to Microsoft’s own description, the tool is designed to display by default only the IP address, subnet mask and gateway for each adapter associated with the TCP/IP. But in addition to enumerating the TCP/IP network configuration parameters users can also refresh the DHCP and DNS settings.
nslookup – is meant to be used according to Domain Name System.
net – is a general tool with commands covering a broad range of functionality.
netstat – displays protocol statistics and TCP/IP network connections.
netsh – the command-line tool enables Vista users to both view and alter the network configuration settings of computers.
pathping – is a middle solution which bundles the functionality delivered by traceroute and ping.
nbtstat – a tool that will display protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
Ping – a complete description of the ping utility can be found here.
route – manipulates network routing tables.
tracert – users can implement this command-line tool to identify connectivity problems between the local computer and a network address.

When using command-line tools in Windows Vista it is healthy to remember to launch the command prompt window with administrative privileges. In order to do so, enter “cmd” in the Search box under the Vista Start Menu and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch the process with elevated privileges.

Tags: command, hostname, impressive_line, ipconfig, ip_address_subnet_mask, local_computer, mac_address, mac_addresses, media_access_control, networking_activity, networking_users, network_adapters, network_connections, network_tools, Operating system, system_connectivity, Windows, windows vista

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 4th, 2007 at 5:45 am and is filed under Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

12 Responses to “12 Hidden Windows Vista Network Tools”

Computer News | Games | IT News | Software | Hardware | Internet on 15 Jul 2007 at 9:30 am #

– users can implement this command-line tool to identify connectivity problems between the local computer and a network address. When using command-line tools in Vista it is recommended to run command prompt with administrative privileges. Source:PC Tips BoxTags: Vista, Microsoft, Windows, Network, Tools
Understanding Windows on 09 Oct 2007 at 5:00 am #

connections. The utilities are not new to Windows Vista, having survived in the operating system from previous Windows versions. Here is the complete list in alphabetical order: getmac – this tool will enable you to display the MAC addresses fornetwork adaptors on a system. The Media Access Control (MAC) address for the network card can be accessed both on the local computer and on a network.hostname – not sure about what the name of your machine is on the network? Just type hostname and
Netscape on 17 Jul 2007 at 12:44 pm #

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Pctipsbox July 2007 Popular Posts - TOP 10 | PC Tips Box on 02 Aug 2007 at 3:05 am #

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andy on 19 Aug 2007 at 8:58 pm #

Nothing that can not be done in xp as well. So what is all the fuss about Vista? None really when you look at it. Everyone knows it is only a glorified copy of xp with a interface copied (more or Less) from MAC OSX .

Least those who have a bit of knowledge about computers know this. The only difference with Vista is the DRM capabilities and the lack of end user control. people like you should stop supporting monopolies such as Microsoft.
brian on 19 Aug 2007 at 9:31 pm #

These aren’t hidden. Anyone that knows anything knows about these tools.
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12 Herramientas de Red para Windows XP y Vista | La Web Del Pringao Informático on 27 Sep 2007 at 10:42 pm #

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12 Herramientas de Red para Windows XP y Vista « on 02 Oct 2007 at 9:51 am #

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Seguridad Informatica Y HijackThis: 12 Herramientas de Red para Windows XP y Vista on 02 Jan 2008 at 4:34 pm #

[...] tracert – los usuarios pueden implementar este comando para identificar problemas entre un PC local y una dirección de Red.Vía pctipsbox (en inglés) [...]