PowerShell Networking Commands

Modules and scope

Most cmdlets below ship in Windows client and server SKUs via NetTCPIP and DnsClient modules. They require PowerShell—typically Windows PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7+—and often Administrator rights for state changes (flushing DNS, altering interfaces). Read-only views usually work as a standard user.

Cmdlets you will actually run

Cmdlet	Replaces	Example
`Get-NetIPAddress`	ipconfig addresses	`Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 \| Sort-Object InterfaceIndex`
`Get-NetIPConfiguration`	ipconfig /all snapshot	`Get-NetIPConfiguration \| Format-List`
`Get-NetRoute`	route print	`Get-NetRoute -DestinationPrefix '0.0.0.0/0'`
`Get-NetTCPConnection`	netstat -ano TCP	`Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 443 -State Listen`
`Get-NetUDPEndpoint`	netstat UDP	`Get-NetUDPEndpoint \| ? LocalPort -eq 53`
`Test-NetConnection`	ping/telnet hybrid	`Test-NetConnection example.com -Port 443`
`Resolve-DnsName`	nslookup/dig	`Resolve-DnsName example.com -Type MX`
`Clear-DnsClientCache`	ipconfig /flushdns	Run elevated when policy requires
`Get-DnsClientServerAddress`	DNS server list per adapter	`Get-DnsClientServerAddress -AddressFamily IPv4`

Filtering and export

Pipe to Where-Object, project with Select-Object, and emit CSV/JSON for tickets. Because output is typed, you avoid brittle findstr on column-aligned text.

Limitations

Some advanced traces still need pktmon, netsh trace, or ETW. Cross-platform pwsh on Linux uses different cmdlet sets—verify availability with Get-Command before porting scripts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.Do these cmdlets work in PowerShell 7 on Windows?

Many NetTCPIP cmdlets work in pwsh on Windows when modules load, but verify your build—some behavior still differs from Windows PowerShell 5.1; test before changing production schedulers.

Q.Why does Test-NetConnection show PingSucceeded false but TcpTestSucceeded true?

ICMP may be blocked while TCP 443 succeeds—common on public Wi-Fi and corporate edges. Trust the probe type that matches your application protocol.

Q.How do I map a PID from Get-NetTCPConnection?

Join on OwningProcess with Get-Process -Id, or use Get-CimInstance Win32_Process for command-line details—mind elevation for other users' processes.

Q.Is Resolve-DnsName a full dig replacement?

It covers common record types and structured output but lacks some advanced flags (trace, DNSSEC detail). Pair with dig/delv on hybrid teams when needed.

Q.Does Clear-DnsClientCache need admin?

Often yes on managed PCs—if it fails, open an elevated PowerShell session or use ipconfig /flushdns as an equivalent.

Q.How do I list only active adapters?

Filter Get-NetIPConfiguration on IPv4Interface or InterfaceOperationalStatus—exclude disconnected tunnels before exporting.

Q.Can I change IP addresses from PowerShell?

Yes with New-NetIPAddress / Remove-NetIPAddress / Set-NetIPInterface—dangerous remotely; always keep out-of-band console and validate interface aliases first.

Q.Where is this documented officially?

Microsoft Docs hosts cmdlet help—run Get-Help Test-NetConnection -Online from a machine with internet for the latest parameter notes per OS build.