CMD, or the Symbol of the system, is a command console in text mode which allows you to interact directly with the operating system and with the computers connected to the network. Unlike graphical interfaces, commands executed in CMD offer greater control and detail, proving very useful for both advanced users and those who want to learn more about Windows network architecture. To learn more about how to manage advanced configurations, you can also consult How to use Netsh on Windows 11.
Accessing CMD is very simple: just search for "cmd" in the start menu or press the combination Windows + R y escribir cmd. Once inside, you will have access to a wide range of commands that allow you view, diagnose, and modify network settings from your computer or other computers on the network.
Main command: ipconfig
The command ipconfig is the starting point for reviewing the IP configuration of all network interfaces. If you want Quickly list all network interfaces in CMD and see if they are active, simply run:
ipconfig
The output of this command shows all network adapters installed (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, virtual, etc.) along with their assigned IP addresses, subnet mask, gateway, and other key data. For more detailed information, including steer axle truck MAC, if you have DHCP enabled, interface description and more:
ipconfig / all
Additionally, ipconfig allows tasks such as:
- ipconfig / release – Releases the IP address assigned by the DHCP server.
- ipconfig / renew – Renew the IP address from DHCP.
- ipconfig / flushdns – Clears the DNS cache, useful for resolving browsing issues.
You can also filter the output by data type, for example, to see only IPv4 addresses:
ipconfig | find "IPv4"
Or to get only the adapter descriptions:
ipconfig /all | find "Description"
These formats allow you to quickly locate the information you are looking for, especially on computers with many interfaces or virtual adapters.
List advanced interfaces and status with netsh
To list all available network interfaces and check its current status (enabled, connected, disconnected), the most complete command is:
netsh interface show interface
The information is displayed in columns with administrative status, connection status, interface type, and friendly interface name (such as "Ethernet," "Wi-Fi," etc.). This command is very useful for seeing at a glance which interfaces are connected. enabled, disabled, or disconnected, and is the basis for further configurations. If you want to learn more about how to manage and modify network configurations, you can also review How to set your default printer in Windows 11.
Netsh also serves to rename interfaces, enable or disable them, and assign them IP manually:
netsh interface set interface "Old Name" newname="NewName" netsh interface set interface NewName enable netsh interface ipv4 set address "NewName" static XXXX GatewayMask
The netsh interface context allows you to navigate between options to fully customize each interface.
Detailed viewing with netstat and related commands
El netstat command is another key tool for monitoring the network. Although netstat is famous for showing open connections and ports, you can also check the status of network interfaces and the traffic they carry. For example:
netstat -i
This will display interface statistics, such as the number of packets received and sent, errors, and collisions. It's ideal for detecting problems hardware or overloading a specific interface. To explore more advanced options, you can consult .
Some useful variants of netstat:
- netstat -e -s – Statistics for Ethernet and all protocols.
- netstat -s -p tcp udp – Statistics for TCP/UDP only.
Most common network inspection and diagnostic commands
Many commands allow you to check connections, DNS resolution, routing tables, and connected devices, such as:
- ping: Checks latency and connectivity with other hosts, allowing you to adjust packets and timeout.
- tracert: Shows the path of packets to a destination, useful for detecting where the connection is broken.
- PathPing: Combines tracert with packet loss and latency statistics at each hop.
- nslookup: Resolves domain names to IP, key for DNS diagnostics.
- arp -a: Lists the cache of MAC addresses associated with IP addresses on the local network.
- getmac: Provides MAC addresses of all interfaces, with a choice of output format.
- nbtstat: Provides statistics on NetBIOS and related connections.
- route print: Displays the routing table, indicating how destinations pass through the interfaces.
Each command can be combined or filtered with find to facilitate diagnosis and optimization. To expand your knowledge, it may also be helpful to consult How to manage dual boot in Windows and Linux.
Advanced Management and Configuration: Netsh in Depth
Netsh (Network Shell) It facilitates complete network configuration management, allowing you to list, modify, repair, and automate tasks. Its features include:
- Reset the TCP/IP stack
netsh int ip reset
to solve connectivity problems.
- Get Wi-Fi profiles, passwords, and adjust specific settings.
- Configure DNS servers in manual or dynamic mode.
- Automate tasks using scripts to easily maintain or replicate configurations.
Mastering netsh is essential for managing networks professionally, since it offers wide variety of subcommands to control aspects such as firewall, interfaces, DHCP, IPsec and more.
Other useful commands in network administration and monitoring
There are additional utilities that complement control and diagnosis in CMD, such as:
- hostname: Returns the computer name, useful on networks with multiple devices.
- net use: Connect, assign, or remove shared resources on the network.
- taskkill o shutdown: Controls processes and restarts, useful in remote or corporate environments.
- telnet / ssh / ftp: Tools for remote access and secure communication, ensuring greater control.
These commands can be used together or in scripts to automate common tasks and keep your network running smoothly. It's recommended to test them in controlled environments before using them in production.
Practical aspects and recommendations for using CMD in networks
Working from CMD may seem complex at first, but it provides speed, control and precisionSome recommendations to get the most out of it are:
- Test in virtual environments before applying changes to primary equipment.
- Use built-in help by adding /? o help at the end of the commands to explore all options.
- Combine commands with pipes (|) and filters to analyze large volumes of data, for example, ipconfig /all | find “Ethernet”.
- Remember PowerShell It is more advanced, but CMD is still a basic and effective tool for managing networks.
Use cases: Query information from a specific interface
To get details about a specific interface, such as Wi-Fi or wired connection, you can filter the command results. ipconfig or use netsh to query that particular interface:
ipconfig | find "Interface Name"
Or, in Netsh, navigate and query the corresponding interface individually, facilitating analysis on specific devices without reviewing long lists. It may also be useful to review how to manage network shared resources, for which we recommend consulting How to share files on a local network in Windows 11.
Troubleshooting common network interface issues from CMD
To diagnose and resolve common network problems, these commands are essential:
- Loss of connection after a network change: Execute ipconfig / release & AFTER ipconfig / renew for the computer to get a new IP.
- DNS resolution error: Clear the DNS cache with ipconfig / flushdns.
- Interface saturation or failures: Uses netstat -i y netsh interface show interface to detect errors or overload.
With these commands you can solve or identify the cause of the most common errors in Windows networks.
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