Must Know Network Commands for Every Engineer

What Are Network Commands?

Network commands are built-in tools you can run in the terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Linux shell) to view, manage, and troubleshoot network configurations and connectivity. These are extremely helpful for tasks like:

• Finding your IP address

• Checking if a website is reachable

• Tracing connection paths

• Identifying open ports

• Scanning the network for connected devices
  
  

Top Network Commands You Must Know

1. ping

Used to test connectivity between your machine and another (website or device).

✅ Use Case: Check if your system is connected to the internet.
📌 Tip: If ping fails, it may be a DNS issue or a network outage.

2. ipconfig (Windows) / ifconfig (Linux/Mac)

Displays your device’s IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

✅ Use Case: Quickly find your IP or see if your PC has received one from DHCP.
📌 Tip: Use ipconfig /all to get more detailed network adapter info.

3. tracert (Windows) / traceroute (Linux/Mac)

Shows the path your data takes to reach a remote host.

✅ Use Case: Find where your connection is slowing or failing.
📌 Tip: Helpful for diagnosing routing issues between networks.

4. netstat

Displays all current network connections and listening ports.

✅ Use Case: See active connections and detect suspicious traffic.
📌 Tip: Combine with -b on Windows to see which applications are using each port.

5. nslookup / dig

Queries DNS servers to get IP addresses of domain names.

✅ Use Case: Diagnose DNS issues, like when a site won’t load but you have internet.
📌 Tip: dig gives more detailed output and is preferred on Linux.

6. arp -a

Displays the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache.

✅ Use Case: Shows the IP to MAC address mapping in your local network.
📌 Tip: Useful to check if a device is on your LAN or to detect ARP spoofing.

7. telnet/ssh

Used to test open ports or access remote systems securely.

✅ Use Case: Administer remote servers or check if a port is open.
📌 Tip: SSH is secure; telnet is outdated and insecure.

8. pathping (Windows only)

Combines ping and tracert, showing both latency and packet loss.

✅ Use Case: Advanced diagnosis of where packets are being lost.

9. netsh (Windows only)

Powerful command to manage Wi-Fi, network adapters, and firewall settings.

✅ Use Case: View and export saved Wi-Fi passwords and profiles.

10. nmap

A powerful network scanner (needs to be installed).

✅ Use Case: Scan your local network for all connected devices.
📌 Tip: Widely used in cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

Essential Skills Every Network Engineer Must Learn

If you’re working as a network engineer (or planning to become one), knowing a few commands isn’t enough. You need to develop a deeper understanding of how networks work, how to troubleshoot them, and how to manage them effectively.

Below are must-know areas and related tools or topics that you should focus on:

1. Practice Networking Daily (Using Simulators)

Regular practice builds confidence and real-world problem-solving skills. Use simulation tools like:

• 🔧 Cisco Packet Tracer – Great for learning Cisco devices and CLI

• 🖥️ GNS3 – Simulates complex networks with virtual routers and firewalls

• 🧪 EVE-NG – Enterprise-grade lab tool for practicing multi-vendor environments

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ Best Network Simulation Tools for Beginners

2. Build Your Own Home Lab

Hands-on labs help reinforce what you learn. Start with:

• A basic router (or use a virtual one)

• A switch (physical or virtual)

• A PC or Raspberry Pi

• Free virtualization tools like VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ How to Build a Budget-Friendly Home Lab for Networking Practice

3. Earn Industry-Recognized Certifications

Certifications validate your skills and open doors to job opportunities. Begin with:

• 🎓 CompTIA Network+ – Foundation-level, vendor-neutral

• 📡 Cisco CCNA – Globally recognized for routing/switching basics

• 🌐 Juniper JNCIA – Good for data center and service provider networking

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ Top Networking Certifications for 2025 – Which One Should You Choose?

4. Master Network Troubleshooting (Layer by Layer)

Every successful engineer should follow the OSI model approach when fixing issues. Start from:

1. 🧩 Layer 1 – Physical: Check cables, ports, signal lights

2. 🌐 Layer 2 – Data Link: MAC address, switch port status

3. 🌍 Layer 3 – Network: IP addressing, routing problems

4. 🌐 Layer 4 – Transport: Port blocking, TCP/UDP issues

5. 🧠 Layer 7 – Application: DNS, HTTP, SMTP, etc.

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ Understanding the OSI Model – The 7 Layers of Networking Explained

5. Get Familiar with Network Security Basics

Knowing basic commands is great, but securing your network is critical. Learn about:

• 🔒 Firewalls & ACLs

• 🛡️ VPNs and Secure Tunnels

• 🚫 ARP Spoofing and MAC Flooding

• 🕵️‍♂️ Common Attacks & How to Detect Them Using Commands

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ Top Network Security Tips for System and Network Admins

6. Understand Real-World Networking Use Cases

It’s not just about labs. Learn how networks support real businesses. Study:

• 📶 Enterprise Wi-Fi setup

• 📁 File sharing via SMB/NFS

• 🏢 Connecting remote offices with VPNs

• 🖥️ Monitoring with SNMP, Nagios, or Zabbix

💡 Related Topic to Cover:
➡️ How Networks Work in Real IT Environments – A Beginner’s Guide