Network Shell (Netsh)

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

Network shell (netsh) is a command-line utility that allows you to configure and display the status of various network communications server roles and components after they are installed on computers running Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Windows Server® 2008.

Some client technologies, such as Network Access Protection (NAP) client and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client, also provide netsh commands that allow you to configure client computers running Windows® 7 and Windows Vista®.

In most cases, netsh commands provide the same functionality that is available when using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in for each server role or component. For example, you can configure Network Policy Server (NPS) by using either the NPS MMC snap-in or the netsh commands in the netsh nps context.

In addition, there are netsh commands for network technologies, such as for IPv6, network bridge, and remote procedure call (RPC), that are not available in Windows as an MMC snap-in.

Network Shell (Netsh) Technical Reference

The Netsh Technical Reference provides a comprehensive netsh command reference, including syntax, parameters, and examples for netsh commands. You can use the Netsh Technical Reference to build scripts and batch files by using netsh commands for local or remote management of network technologies on computers running Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008.

Content availability