Windows 7 / Networking

Table-1 Network Troubleshooting Tools

Table-1 lists the most important tools for troubleshooting network problems.

ToolPurposeMembership RequiredDescription
ArpDisplays and clears the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache, which affects communications with hosts on the local network.Users or Administrators, depending on the commands usedOperating system, command line
IPConfigDisplays network configuration information about the local computer, requests new dynamically assigned IP addresses, manages the Domain Name System (DNS) client resolver cache, and registers new DNS records.Users or Administrators, depending on the commands usedOperating system, command line
NblookupTests Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) name resolutionUsersFree download, command line
NbtstatDisplays and clears network basic input/output system (NetBIOS) names.UsersOperating system, command line
NetDisplays information about shared resources and connects to shared resources.UsersOperating system, command line
NetshViews and modifies network configuration settings.Users or Administrators, depending on the commands usedOperating system, command line
NetstatDisplays detailed information about open connectionsUserOperating system, command line
Network MonitorCaptures and displays network traffic sent to and from the local computer.AdministratorsFree download, graphical user interface (GUI)
NslookupDiagnoses DNS name resolution problems.UserrsOperating system, command line
PathPingDiagnoses network connectivity, routing, and performance problems.UsersOperating system, command line
Performance MonitorDisplays detailed information about hundreds of network performance counters.AdministratorsOperating system, GUI
PortQryIdentifies the availability of network services from a client that has the tool installed.UsersFree download, command line
Resource MonitorDisplays information about network utilization.AdministratorsOperating system, GUI
RouteDisplays and modifies the local computer's IP routing tables, which is primarily useful when multiple gateways are on the local network.Users or Administrators, depending on the commands usedOperating system, command line
Task ManagerQuickly determines current network utilization, identifies processes that are using the network, and identifies processes that are consuming processor time.Users or Administrators, depending on the commands usedOperating system, GUI
Telnet ClientIdentifies the availability of network services from a client that does not have PortQry installed. This tool is an optional feature and is not installed by default.UsersOperating System, command line
Test TCPTests TCP connectivity between two computers.UsersOperating System, command line
Windows Network DiagnosticsAutomatically diagnoses some network problems and provides a user-friendly interface for resolving them.UsersOperating System, GUI

Note In Windows 7, troubleshooting IPv6 is identical to troubleshooting IPv4. Most of the same tools work, including Ping, PathPing, Nslookup, IPConfig, Route, Netstat, Tracert, and Netsh. To use them, simply specify IPv6 addresses instead of IPv4 addresses. Unfortunately, PortQry does not currently support IPv6. However, you can use Telnet instead. Additionally, you cannot use the Route tool to add or delete IPv6 addresses. Instead, you should use the netsh interface ipv6 add route and netsh interface ipv6 delete route commands.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Troubleshooting Network Issues
  2. Tools for Troubleshooting
  3. Table-1 Network Troubleshooting Tools
  4. Arp
  5. How to Identify a Problem with the ARP Cacher
  6. How to Clear the ARP Cache
  7. Event Viewer
  8. IPConfig
  9. Nblookup
  10. Nbtstat
  11. Net
  12. How to View Shared Folders on the Local Computer
  13. How to View Shared Folders on Another Computer
  14. Netstat
  15. Network Monitor
  16. Nslookup
  17. Verifying that the Default DNS Server Resolves Correctly
  18. Verifying that a Specific DNS Server Resolves Correctly
  19. Verifying Specific Types of Addresses
  20. Using TCP for DNS Lookups
  21. PathPing
  22. PathPing Output
  23. Routing Loops
  24. Performance Problems
  25. Possible Connectivity Issues
  26. No Connectivity Issues
  27. Performance Monitor
  28. Data Collector Sets
  29. Windows Resource Monitor
  30. Ping
  31. PortQry
  32. Identifying the TCP Port for a Service
  33. Windows 7 Testing Service Connectivity
  34. Determining Available Remote Management Protocols
  35. Why PortQry Is Great
  36. Route
  37. Task Manager
  38. TCPView
  39. Telnet Client
  40. Testing Service Connectivity
  41. Test TCP
  42. Windows Network Diagnostics
  43. The Process of Troubleshooting Network Problems
  44. How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Problems
  45. How to Troubleshoot Application Connectivity Problems
  46. Default Port Assignments for Common Services and Tasks
  47. How to Troubleshoot Name Resolution Problems
  48. How to Verify Connectivity to a DNS Server
  49. How to Use the Hosts File
  50. How to Troubleshoot Performance Problems and Intermittent Connectivity Issues
  51. How to Troubleshoot Joining or Logging on to a Domain
  52. How to Verify Requirements for Joining a Domain
  53. How to Troubleshoot Network Discovery
  54. How to Troubleshoot File and Printer Sharing
  55. How to Troubleshoot File and Printer Sharing from the Client
  56. How to Troubleshoot File and Printer Sharing from the Server
  57. How to Troubleshoot Wireless Networks
  58. Network Diagnostics
  59. How to Troubleshoot Firewall Problems