View network connection status in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

You can use this procedure to view the current status of your network connection. Information available includes the type of connectivity (local or Internet) provided by both IPv4 and IPv6.

Any user account can be used to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

You can use the following methods to view the status of a network connection:

  • To view network connection status by using Network and Sharing Center

  • To view network connection status by using the Network Connections folder

  • To view additional details of the connection by using the Windows interface

  • To view details of the connection by using the command prompt

To view network connection status by using Network and Sharing Center

  1. Start Network and Sharing Center.

  2. In the list of networks, find the network you want, and click View Status.

    Windows displays the Connection Status page.

To view network connection status by using the Network Connections folder

  1. Open the Network Connections folder and view available connections.

  2. Right-click the connection you want to view, and then click Status.

    Windows displays the Connection Status page.

To view additional details of the connection by using the Windows interface

  • On the Connection Status page described in either of the previous two procedures, click the Details button.

    Windows displays the Network Connection Details page.

To view details of the connection by using the command prompt

  • At a command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER:

    ipconfig /all

    Value Description

    /all

    Specifies that the command should return detailed information about the connection

Additional considerations

  • Standard users can view the status of the network connection. To make any changes you might need to be a member of the Administrators group or the Network Configuration Operators group, depending on the change.

See Also

Concepts

Configure Network Connections
Manage Network Connections