The username you want to query. Omit to list all the users currently logged in on the specified host.

The target machine containing the user account(s) you want to query. Omit to query the local machine (localhost).

Displays information in a long list format.

A web-style address (URL) to a specific file located on an anonymous FTP server, which looks something like this:

ftp://example.com/path/file

If you specify a complete URL, FTP will download the file and then quit automatically, rather than going into interactive mode.

Specify the hostname or IP address of the remote host (server) to connect to. If you omit it, you can enter it once FTP has started by using the open command. For example:

ftp ftp.microsoft.com

Note that the common ftp. prefix, although not mandatory with FTP, is merely a hostname that signifies a specific machine, often solely devoted to serving FTP requests.

Suppress the display of remote server responses to commands—useful if you’re running FTP from a script.

Suppress auto-login upon initial connection. To connect, you’ll need to use the user command once FTP is running.

Turn off interactive prompting during multiple file transfers when using the mget and mput FTP commands.

Enable debugging—displaying all FTP commands passed between the client and server (for troubleshooting purposes).

Disable filename globbing, which permits the use of wildcard characters in local file- and pathnames. (See the FTP glob command in the list that follows.)

Specify an FTP script, a plain-text file containing sequential FTP commands, one per line. The commands are issued as though they were typed at the keyboard.

Use any local interface when establishing a connection.

Log in as anonymous (note the capital A). This is the same as logging in normally and manually typing in anonymous as the username and an email address as the password.

Override the default transfer buffer size of 4,096. Change only if you encounter performance problems.

Run the specified command (e.g., cd) on the local computer, as though you temporarily jumped out of FTP, ran a command, and then jumped back in—all without disconnecting. Naturally, you could just open a second Command Prompt window, but some contextual commands, such as cd (see Chapter 14), require the use of the ! command to be effective. Type ! by itself to start a mini-Command Prompt session in which you can type multiple commands; type EXIT to return to the active FTP session.

Same as help.

Append a local file to a file on the remote computer.

Set the file transfer type to ASCII (plain text), the default (except in noninteractive mode). ASCII mode is useful if you’re transferring plain-text files between Unix and Windows systems, as line-ending translation must be performed on these types of files. Note that this translation will almost always corrupt binary files such as ZIP archives or Word documents, so you should use the binary command if you’re not transferring ASCII files.

Turn on or off the beep after each file transfer command is completed. By default, the bell is off.

Set the file transfer type to binary, a crucial step for transferring nontext files (such as .zip, .gif, and .doc) between Unix and Windows-based machines. Although it’s not necessary if the server is also a Windows system, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of typing binary (or simply bin) every time you use FTP. Note that binary is the default in noninteractive mode, when used with the url command-line parameter. See also "ascii,” earlier in this list.

End the FTP session and, if necessary, disconnect from the remote computer. The standard Command Prompt exit command won’t work here, but quit will.

Change the working directory on the remote computer (to cd on the local machine, use ! cd or lcd).

Disconnect from the remote computer without exiting FTP. Use open to connect to a different FTP server or bye to exit FTP.

Toggle debugging. When debugging is on, each internal command sent to the remote computer is displayed, preceded by the string --->. By default, debugging is off.

Delete a file on the remote computer. You can delete only a single file at a time with delete (no wildcards are allowed); use mdelete to delete multiple files at once.

Display a list of the contents of the working directory on the remote computer, with details. Use ls for a simple listing. Occasionally, directory listings for anonymous users may be disabled, in which case dir will not work; if you want to download, you’ll need to know the particular filename(s) beforehand.

Same as close.

Transfer remote_file from the server to the local machine. If local_file is not specified, the local file will be given the same name as the original. The file will be placed in the local working directory; to choose a different destination, use lcd. You can download only a single file at a time with get (no wildcards are allowed); use mget to transfer multiple files at once. If transferring binary (nontext) files, use the binary command first.

Toggle filename globbing. Globbing permits use of wildcard characters in local file- or pathnames. By default, globbing is on. You also can disable globbing with the -g command-line parameter.

Turn on or off FTP’s crude progress bar for file transfers. A hash mark (#) character is displayed for each 2 KB of data transferred, so large files will have longer progress bars than small files. By default, hash mark printing is off.

Display all the available commands. Include command to get help with a single command (e.g., help get). Same as ?.

Change the working directory on the local computer. Enter a full path as directory (e.g., c:downloads) to effectively instruct FTP to place downloaded files there. Omit directory to simply display the current working directory. By default, the working directory is in use when FTP is started; if FTP is opened from Start → Run, the working directory is c:Users username.

Send so-called “arbitrary” commands to the remote FTP server (such as retr, stor, pasv, and port). A single FTP reply code is expected in return. Typical use of FTP does not involve using literal, but it can provide access to some advanced functions; among the more interesting is the ability to transfer files between two remote computers without having to first transfer them to the local machine.

Display an abbreviated list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories. This is useful when a directory contains a lot of files. Type ls -l (or use dir) to show the “long” listing, including file details. Occasionally, you can disable directory listings for anonymous users, in which case ls will not work; if you want to download, you’ll need to know the particular filename(s) beforehand.

Delete multiple files on remote computers. Unlike with delete, you can use wildcards (e.g., *.txt for all .txt files).

Store a listing of the remote working directory’s contents (with details) into a file; both parameters are required. You use the remote_files parameter to modify the listing, either by specifying a wildcard (use * to list all files) or by specifying the name of another directory. local_file is the target filename in which the directory listing is stored.

Transfer one or more remote files to the local computer. Unlike with get, you can use wildcards (e.g., *.txt for all .txt files). You will be asked to confirm each transfer unless you turn off prompting with the prompt command. Local files will be given the same names as their remote counterparts. If transferring binary (nontext) files, use the binary command first.

Create a remote directory. Note that anonymous users are usually not permitted to create directories on remote systems.

Same as mdir, except that a short listing (no details) is stored.

Transfer one or more local files to the remote computer. Unlike with put, you can use wildcards (e.g., *.txt for all .txt files). You will be asked to confirm each transfer unless you turn off prompting with the prompt command. Remote files will be given the same names as their local counterparts. If transferring binary (nontext) files, use the binary command first.

Connect to the specified FTP server. This is the same as specifying a server in the FTP command line; use open if you omitted the host parameter. You can use open whenever there’s no current connection, either if you disconnected using disconnect or close, or if the initial connection attempt was unsuccessful.

Turn on or off prompting for multiple file transfers. When you use the mput or mget command, FTP will prompt you before transferring each file. By default, prompt is turned on; type prompt before using mput or mget to transfer multiple files without being prompted.

Transfer local_file from the local machine to the server. If you do not specify remote_file, the remote file will be given the same name as the original. The file will be placed in the remote working directory; to choose a different destination, use cd. You can upload only a single file at a time with put (no wildcards are allowed); use mput to transfer multiple files at once. If transferring binary (nontext) files, use the binary command first.

Print Working Directory (PWD) displays the remote working directory; use cd to change to a different remote directory.

End the FTP session with the remote computer and exit FTP.

Same as literal.

Same as get.

Display help for remote commands supported by the server. This is probably similar to the commands available on the client, but may not be identical. As with ? and help, supplying no arguments returns a list of command names. Use remotehelp command to get more information on each command.

Rename a remote file. Note that anonymous users are usually not permitted to rename files on remote systems.

Delete a remote directory. Note that anonymous users are usually not permitted to delete directories on remote systems.

Same as put.

Display the current status of the connection and the current settings of options such as prompt, verbose, and ascii|binary.

Turn on or off packet tracing, which displays the route of each packet when executing an FTP command. By default, trace is off.

Display whether transfers are performed in binary or ascii mode. Use type binary (or just binary) to transfer binary files.

Specify the username on the remote computer; if you do not specify a password, you will be prompted for one. Typically, FTP prompts for the username and password when a connection is first established; however, if you type an incorrect username and password, you can try again with the user command without having to reconnect.

Turn on or off verbose mode. If verbose is on (the default), all FTP responses are displayed, such as when a file transfer completes and any statistics regarding the efficiency of the transfer.

The text message to send. If you omit it, Msg prompts for it. Also can read from standard input; see Chapter 14.

Recipient can be a username, a session name, a session ID, or a filename (pointing to a file containing a list of usernames, session names, or session IDs). Or, specify an asterisk (*) to send a message to all sessions on the specified server.

Specifies /server: name to send the message to users on another machine, where name is the name of a Terminal Server (see “Services,” in the "Microsoft Management Console" section in Chapter 10, for details).

Indicates the amount of time, in seconds, to wait for the recipient to acknowledge the message being sent.

Verbose mode; displays additional information about the actions being performed.

Waits for a response from the recipient; useful with /v.

Use net accounts to update the user accounts database and modify password and logon requirements for all accounts. If used without parameters, the current settings for password, logon limitations, and domain information are displayed.

Use net computer to add or delete computers from a domain database; it is available only on Windows Server.

The net config command displays configuration information about the workstation or server service. See the “Example” section at the end of this list.

Type net continue to reactivate a Windows service that has been suspended by net pause.

net file closes a shared file and removes any file locks. When you use it without options, net file lists the open files on a server. The listing includes the ID number, location, number of locks, and user currently accessing the file.

net group adds, displays, or modifies global groups on servers. When you use it without options, net group displays a list of the groups on the server.

net help displays more information about any command. When you use it without options, net help displays all the available commands.

The net helpmsg command displays information about error, warning, and alert messages relating to a Windows network. For example, type net helpmsg 2181 to display an explanation of error #2181 and any possible remedies.

net localgroup modifies local groups on computers. When you use it without options, net localgroup displays a list of the groups on the server.

The net name command adds or deletes a messaging name, an alias to which messages are sent (via net send). When you use it without options, a list of names accepting messages at the computer is displayed.

Use net pause to temporarily suspend a Windows service or resource, and use net continue to reactivate it when you’re ready.

The net print command displays print jobs and shared printer queues.

net session lists or disconnects sessions between the computer and other computers on the network.

The net share command makes a server’s resources available to network users. When you use it without options, it lists information about all resources being shared. See also "Create A Shared Folder,” earlier in this chapter.

Use net start to start a service. When you use it without options, it lists services that have already been started.

net statistics displays the statistics log for the local workstation or server service. When you use it without parameters, net statistics displays the services for which statistics are available.

Use net stop to stop a service that has been started with net start. Note that stopping some services will cause others to be stopped, and some services cannot be stopped at all.

Probably the most interesting command in the bunch, net time is used to synchronize the computer’s clock with that of another computer or domain. You can also use net time to set the NTP timeserver for the computer.

The net use command connects (or disconnects) a computer to a shared resource (shared with net share). When you use it without options, it lists the computer’s active connections.

net user creates and modifies user accounts. When you use it without options, net user lists the user accounts for the computer. The user account information is stored in the same user accounts database used by Control Panel → User Accounts; see "User Accounts,” in Chapter 10.

net view displays a list of resources being shared on a remote computer. When you use it without options, it displays a list of computers in the current domain or network.

Diagnostic and configuration tools relating to clients that use DHCP

Diagnostic and configuration tools relating to your firewall

Diagnostic and configuration tools relating to IPsec security

Diagnostic and configuration tools for your LAN

Diagnostic and configuration tools related to the WAN to which you’re connected

The machine to ping; it can be the name of a computer on your network, an IP address (e.g., 209.204.146.22), or an Internet address (e.g., oreilly.com).

Normally, Ping sends out four pings and then quits. Include the -t option to ping continually until you interrupt Ping by pressing Ctrl-C. Press Ctrl-Break to display statistics without interrupting.

Resolve addresses to hostnames.

The number of pings to send; the default is four.

The size of the packets to send, in bytes; the default is 32 bytes.

Turn on the “Don’t Fragment” flag in packet.

The amount of time to wait, in milliseconds, before Ping gives up and displays Request timed out; the default is 500 milliseconds (half a second).

Display the route taken to reach the server (see "Tracert,” later in this chapter). The count is the maximum number of hops to record and can range from one to nine.

Display a timestamp for count hops.

Impose a “loose” route (see the -r option) along which to ping.

Impose a “strict” route (see the -r option) along which to ping.

Specify the Time to Live (TTL); valid range is from 0 to 255.

Specify the Type of Service (TOS); valid range is from 0 to 255.

Use routing header to test reverse route also (IPv6 only).

Source address to use (IPv6 only).

Force using IPv4.

Force using IPv6.

Specifies one of four commands:

The remote computer that is reachable via gateway.

Frees (clears) the routing tables of all gateway entries. If you use this in conjunction with one of the commands listed earlier, the tables are cleared prior to running the command.

When you use this with the add command, -p makes a route persistent across boots of the system. If you don’t specify -p, any route you add will be valid only until the computer is restarted. The -p option has no effect on other commands, as they’re all persistent.

The gateway computer to be used for traffic going to destination. It is possible to use a hostname for the gateway, but it is safer to use an IP address because a hostname may resolve to multiple IP addresses. For example, you might type the following:

route add 0.0.0.0 10.0.0.200

Specifies the subnet mask for a destination. If you do not specify it, a mask of 255.255.255.255 is used (i.e., a “host route” to a single host, not a network).

Specifies the metric or “hop count” for this route. The metric indicates which route is preferred when multiple routes to a destination exist and signifies the number of hops or gateways between the local computer and the gateway. The route with the lowest metric is used unless it is unavailable, in which case the route with the next lowest metric takes over.

Specifies the interface number for the specified route.

The IP address of the gateway for the route. The gateway will know what to do with traffic for the specified network address.

The IP address of the network interface that the route will use when leaving the local computer.

The hop count or number of gateways between the local computer and the gateway.

The mask to be applied to the network address. If the mask is 255.255.255.255, the route is a host route and refers to a single machine, not a network.

Any network matched by this address should use this route. The default route is all zeros and is used if no other route is found.

The name or IP address of the computer to contact.

If you specify an IP address, Tracert will attempt to resolve the hostname (using DNS, which could slow things down). Include the -d option to skip this step.

Specifies the maximum number of “hops” (servers along the route) to display before giving up; the default is 30 hops.

Loosely imposes a route to follow, where list is a list of hosts (IPv4 only).

Sets the amount of time to wait (in milliseconds) for each reply.

Traces the round-trip path (IPv6 only).

Specifies the source address to use (IPv6 only).

Forces it to use IPv4.

Forces it to use IPv6.

Used with some of the commands in this list, adapter specifies the name of a network connection (see "Manage Network Connections,” earlier in this chapter) on which to act. Adapter can contain wildcards, such as *. Omit adapter (if allowed) to act on the default connection.

Displays all available configuration information.

Displays detailed information about all compartments.

Releases the IPv4 address(es) for the specified connection, effectively disconnecting that connection from all network communication. Use /renew to reestablish communication.

Releases the IPv6 address(es) for the specified connection, effectively disconnecting that connection from all network communication. Use /renew6 to reestablish communication.

Renews the IPv4 address for the specified adapter, effectively reestablishing communication for the connection.

Renews the IPv6 address for the specified adapter, effectively reestablishing communication for the connection.

Purges the DNS Resolver cache. See "NSLookup,” earlier in this chapter, for details. See the entry in this list for /displaydns to show the contents of the DNS cache.

Refreshes all DHCP leases and reregisters DNS names.

Displays the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache (see /flushdns).

Displays all the DHCP class IDs allowed for adapter.

Modifies the DHCP class ID for adapter.