What is "ipconfig" command, some examples and how is it useful?

Date: TUESDAY, 25th June 2024 

Time: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Topic 5:  ipconfig (Windows)

ifconfig (Linux)

Software: Windows Command Line, Linux, Windows Powershell

The "ipconfig" command is a network utility tool available on Windows operating systems. It is used to display and manage the IP configuration of a computer's network interfaces. Here is a detailed explanation of the command, its usage, and examples:

What is "ipconfig"?

The "ipconfig" command stands for "Internet Protocol Configuration." It is used to display the current network configuration details of a Windows machine, including IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and more. It is a crucial tool for network troubleshooting and configuration.

How is it Useful?

1. Network Troubleshooting: Helps diagnose network connectivity issues by displaying the current IP configuration.

2. IP Address Management: Allows users to release and renew their IP address, which can resolve IP conflicts and connectivity problems.

3. DNS Management: Can flush the DNS resolver cache, which helps resolve DNS-related issues.

4. Detailed Network Information: Provides comprehensive details about all network interfaces, including physical (MAC) addresses and DHCP information.

Common "ipconfig" Commands and Examples

Basic Command

- ipconfig: Displays basic IP configuration information for all network adapters.

C:\> ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : example.com

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2

   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Detailed Information

- ipconfig /all: Displays detailed information about all network adapters, including MAC addresses and DHCP details.

C:\> ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MyComputer

   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . : example.com

   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid

   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : example.com

   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) Ethernet Connection

   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E

   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes

   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2(Preferred)

   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, June 26, 2024 10:00:00 AM

   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, June 27, 2024 10:00:00 AM

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8

                                       8.8.4.4

Release and Renew IP Address

- ipconfig /release: Releases the current IP address assigned by the DHCP server.

C:\> ipconfig /release

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : example.com

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

- ipconfig /renew: Requests a new IP address from the DHCP server.

C:\> ipconfig /renew

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : example.com

   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.3

   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0

   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

Flush DNS Cache

- ipconfig /flushdns: Clears the DNS resolver cache, which can help resolve DNS-related issues.

C:\> ipconfig /flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Display DNS Cache

- ipconfig /displaydns: Displays the contents of the DNS resolver cache.

C:\> ipconfig /displaydns

Windows IP Configuration

    example.com

    ----------------------------------------

    Record Name . . . . . : example.com

    Record Type . . . . . : 1

    Time To Live  . . . . : 120

    Data Length . . . . . : 4

    Section . . . . . . . : Answer

    A (Host) Record . . . : 93.184.216.34

The "ipconfig" command is a powerful tool for network administrators and users alike, providing essential information and functionality for managing and troubleshooting network connections.