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How
can I configure TCP/IP settings from the Command
Prompt?
In order to configure TCP/IP
settings such as the IP address, Subnet Mask,
Default Gateway, DNS and WINS addresses and many
other options you can use Netsh.exe.
Netsh.exe is a command-line
scripting utility that allows you to, either
locally or remotely, display or modify the
network configuration of a computer that is
currently running. Netsh.exe also provides a
scripting feature that allows you to run a group
of commands in batch mode against a specified
computer. Netsh.exe can also save a
configuration script in a text file for archival
purposes or to help you configure other servers.
Netsh.exe is available on
Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server
2003.
You can use the Netsh.exe tool
to perform the following tasks:
- Configure interfaces
- Configure routing
protocols
- Configure filters
- Configure routes
- Configure remote access
behavior for Windows-based remote access
routers that are running the Routing and
Remote Access Server (RRAS) Service
- Display the configuration
of a currently running router on any
computer
- Use the scripting feature
to run a collection of commands in batch
mode against a specified router.
What can we do
with Netsh.exe?
With Netsh.exe you can easily
view your TCP/IP settings. Type the
following command in a Command Prompt window
(CMD.EXE):
With Netsh.exe, you can easily
configure your computer's IP address and
other TCP/IP related settings. For example:
The following command
configures the interface named Local Area
Connection with the static IP address
192.168.0.100, the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0,
and a default gateway of 192.168.0.1:
(The above line is one long line, copy paste it
as one line)
Netsh.exe can be also useful
in certain scenarios such as when you have a
portable computer that needs to be relocated
between 2 or more office locations, while still
maintaining a specific and static IP address
configuration. With Netsh.exe, you can easily
save and restore the appropriate network
configuration.
First, connect your portable
computer to location #1, and then manually
configure the required settings (such as the IP
address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS and
WINS addresses).
Now, you need to export
your current IP settings to a text file. Use
the following command:
When you reach location #2, do
the same thing, only keep the new settings to a
different file:
You can go on with any other
location you may need, but we'll keep it simple
and only use 2 examples.
Now, whenever you need to
quickly import your IP settings and
change them between location #1 and location #2,
just enter the following command in a Command
Prompt window (CMD.EXE):
or
and so on.
You can also use the global
EXEC switch instead of -F:
Netsh.exe can also be used to
configure your NIC to automatically obtain an
IP address from a DHCP server:
Would you like to configure
DNS and WINS addresses from the Command
Prompt? You can. See this example for DNS:
and this one for WINS:
Or, if you want, you can
configure your NIC to dynamically obtain it's
DNS settings:
As you now see, Netsh.exe has
many features you might find useful, and that
goes beyond saying even without looking into the
other valuable options that exist in the
command.
Links
How to
Use the Netsh.exe Tool and Command-Line Switches - 242468
How to Use the NETSH Command to Change from
Static IP Address to DHCP in Windows 2000 -
257748
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