Diagnostic utilities

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Diagnostic utilities

The following table lists TCP/IP diagnostic utilities. You can use these utilities to help identify or resolve TCP/IP networking problems.

Utility Description

Arp

Allows viewing and editing of the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache. The ARP cache contains software-to-hardware address mappings that are used for sending data on the local network. For more information, see Arp.

Hostname

Displays the host name of the computer as used for authentication by the Rcp, Rsh, and Rexec utilities. For more information, see Hostname.

Ipconfig

Displays current TCP/IP configuration values. Also used to manually release and renew a TCP/IP configuration lease assigned by a DHCP server and to reset DNS name registrations. For more information, see Ipconfig and Command-line utilities.

Lpq

Displays print queue status information on computers running Line Printer Daemon (LPD) print server software. For more information, see Lpq.

Nbtstat

Checks the state of current NetBIOS over TCP/IP connections, updates the Lmhosts cache, and determines the registered names and scope ID. For more information, see Nbtstat.

Netsh

Displays and administers TCP/IP protocol settings on either the local computer or a remote computer. For more information, see Netsh commands for Interface IP.

Netstat

Displays protocol statistics and information on current TCP/IP connections. For more information, see Netstat.

Nslookup

Checks records, domain host aliases, domain host services, and operating system information by querying DNS server. For more information, see Nslookup and Verify DNS registration for domain controllers using the nslookup command.

Ping

Verifies whether TCP/IP is configured correctly and tests connectivity to other host systems. For more information, see Ping and Test a TCP/IP configuration by using the ping command.

Route

Allows viewing and editing of the local IP routing table. For more information, see Route.

Tracert

Traces the network route taken by an IP datagram to its destination. For more information, see Tracert and Trace a path by using the tracert command.

Pathping

Traces the route a packet takes to a destination and displays information on packet losses for each router in the path. Pathping can also be used to troubleshoot Quality of Service (QoS) connectivity. For more information, see Using the pathping command.

The following table lists additional administrative utilities you can use for TCP/IP troubleshooting:

Administrative tool Description

SNMP service

Provides statistical information to SNMP management systems.

Event Viewer

Tracks errors and events.

Performance Logs and Alerts

Analyzes TCP/IP core protocol performance when the SNMP service is installed.

Network Monitor

Captures and analyzes TCP/IP to and from computers running Windows Server 2003 operating systems.

Registry Editor

Allows viewing and editing of registry settings.