Identify Network Diagnostics

PowerShell Cmdlets

Get-NetIPConfiguration

Displays current local IP addresses, default gateway, and DNS servers.

Local only
Get-NetAdapter

Shows network adapters, their link speed, and connection status.

Local only
Test-Connection 8.8.8.8

Pings a remote host to check basic connectivity and response time.

Requires target
Test-NetConnection 8.8.8.8

Checks if a specific network port is open on a target host.

Requires target
Resolve-DnsName google.com

Performs detailed DNS lookups to resolve domain names to IP addresses.

Requires target
Get-NetNeighbor

Shows the local ARP table mapping local IPs to MAC addresses.

Local only
Get-NetRoute

Displays the network routing table for outbound traffic.

Local only
Get-NetTCPConnection

Lists all active TCP network connections and their current states.

Local only
Get-DnsClientCache

Shows recently resolved domain names stored in the local cache.

Local only
Get-NetIPInterface

Lists configuration properties for IPv4 and IPv6 network interfaces.

Local only
Get-NetFirewallRule

Displays the active Windows Firewall rules on the computer.

Local only
Get-NetConnectionProfile

Shows whether the current network is Public, Private, or Domain, affecting firewall behavior.

Local only
Get-NetAdapterStatistics

Shows sent/received packet counts and errors per adapter, useful for spotting cable/NIC issues.

Local only
Get-DnsClientServerAddress

Shows configured DNS servers per interface, shorter than ipconfig /all.

Local only
Get-SmbShare

Lists folders shared from this system over the network.

Local only
whoami /all

Shows current user identity, groups, and permission level, useful if the network uses Active Directory.

Local only
Get-ComputerInfo

Shows full system info including Windows version, domain membership, and hostname.

Local only

Classic CMD Commands

ipconfig

Displays basic network configuration like IP address and default gateway.

Local only
ipconfig /all

Shows detailed network settings, including MAC addresses and DNS servers.

Local only
ping 8.8.8.8

Tests network connectivity and measures latency to a remote host.

Requires target
tracert 8.8.8.8

Traces and displays the route (hops) data takes to reach a destination.

Requires target
nslookup google.com

Queries DNS servers to find the IP address of a domain or vice versa.

Requires target
arp -a

Displays the local ARP cache, showing IP-to-MAC mappings.

Local only
netstat

Lists all active network connections, open ports, and routing statistics.

Local only
pathping 8.8.8.8

Combines ping and tracert to show network latency and packet loss.

Requires target
net view

Lists other computers in the local network (workgroup) sharing files or printers.

Local only
route print

Displays the routing table in the older cmd-compatible format.

Local only

GUI / Installable Tools

Advanced IP Scanner

Scans the whole class network IP range, showing which devices are online, their MAC address, and vendor.

Requires target IP range
Fing

Mobile/desktop app, similar to Advanced IP Scanner with a friendlier visual interface.

Requires target IP range
PingPlotter

Graphical, real-time version of tracert/pathping, good for spotting intermittent network drops.

Requires target
GlassWire

Monitors network traffic per application with live graphs.

Local only
NirSoft CurrPorts

Graphical version of netstat, easier to view open ports and related processes.

Local only

Online Services

speedtest.net

Test internet speed (download/upload/ping).

Website
ipinfo.io

Shows detailed info about your public IP (ISP, approximate location).

Website
dnschecker.org

Check DNS propagation from multiple locations.

Website
downdetector.com

Checks if an external service has a public outage, ruling out local network issues.

Website