LAB: IPCONFIG Command

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lab, students will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of the IPCONFIG command.

• Display and interpret TCP/IP configuration settings.

• Identify IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.

• Locate the default gateway, subnet mask, and DNS servers.

• Release and renew an IP address.

• Flush and register the DNS cache.

• Troubleshoot common network configuration problems.

Background

The IPCONFIG (Internet Protocol Configuration) command is a built-in Windows command-line utility used to display and manage a computer’s TCP/IP network configuration.

IT professionals use IPCONFIG to:

• View IP addressing information

• Verify network adapter configuration

• Troubleshoot Internet connectivity

• Renew DHCP-assigned IP addresses

• Clear DNS cache

• Diagnose network communication problems

Understanding the information displayed by IPCONFIG is an essential skill for IT support specialists, help desk technicians, and network administrators.

Prerequisites

• Windows 10 or Windows 11

• Internet connection

• Command Prompt

• Administrative privileges (recommended)

Lab Scenario

You are an entry-level IT support technician. A user reports they cannot connect to the Internet after moving to a different office. Your task is to verify the computer’s network configuration and use IPCONFIG to troubleshoot the issue.

Part 1 – Open Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R

2. Type:

cmd

3. Press Enter

Part 2 – Display Basic Network Configuration

Run:

ipconfig

Example Output

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

IPv4 Address . . . . . : 192.168.1.125
Subnet Mask . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . : 192.168.1.1

Activity

Complete the table below.

Questions

1. What is your IPv4 address?

2. What is the purpose of the subnet mask?

3. What is the default gateway used for?

Part 3 – Display Detailed Configuration

Run:

ipconfig /all

Example Output

Host Name . . . . . . . . : Student-PC
DHCP Enabled . . . . . . : Yes
Physical Address . . . . : 00-15-5D-44-33-22
DNS Servers . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
Lease Obtained . . . . . : Tuesday
Lease Expires . . . . . : Wednesday

Record the following information.

Questions

1. What is the MAC address?

2. Is DHCP enabled?

3. Which DNS server is configured?

4. What is the DHCP server?

Part 4 – Release an IP Address

Run:

ipconfig /release

Observe what happens.

Questions

1. What happened to the IP address?

2. Why would a technician release an IP address?

Note: This command disconnects the computer from the network until a new address is obtained.

Part 5 – Renew an IP Address

Run:

ipconfig /renew

Questions

1. Was a new IP address assigned?

2. Did the address change?

3. Why is renewing an IP address useful?

Part 6 – Display the DNS Resolver Cache

Run:

ipconfig /displaydns

Example Output

Record Name . . . : google.com
Record Type . . . : A
Time To Live . . : 300

Questions

1. How many DNS records are displayed?

2. What information is stored in the DNS cache?

3. Why does Windows cache DNS records?

Part 7 – Flush the DNS Cache

Run:

ipconfig /flushdns

Example Output

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Questions

1. Why would an administrator flush the DNS cache?

2. When might this solve a problem?

Part 8 – Register DNS Records

Run:

ipconfig /registerdns

Questions

1. What does this command do?

2. In what type of environment is this command commonly used?

Part 9 – Troubleshooting Scenario

A user reports they cannot browse websites.

Run the following commands:

ipconfig

ping 127.0.0.1

ping <default_gateway>

ping 8.8.8.8

ping google.com

Complete the checklist.

Part 10 – Compare IPv4 and IPv6

Run:

ipconfig /all

Locate both:

• IPv4 Address

• IPv6 Address

Complete the table.

Questions

1. Which address is longer?

2. Why was IPv6 developed?

3. Can a computer have both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously?

Common IPCONFIG Commands

Lab Questions

1. What is the purpose of the IPCONFIG command?

2. What is the difference between ipconfig and ipconfig /all?

3. What is DHCP?

4. Why is a subnet mask required?

5. What is the purpose of the default gateway?

6. What does /release do?

7. What does /renew do?

8. Why would you flush the DNS cache?

9. What information does /displaydns show?

10. Why is /registerdns useful in business networks?

Challenge Activity

Use IPCONFIG to gather information about your computer and answer the following.

Then answer:

1. Is your IP address private or public?

2. Which class of private IPv4 address are you using (Class A, B, or C)?

3. Is your computer receiving its address from DHCP or using a static configuration?

Deliverables

Students must submit:

• Screenshots of each IPCONFIG command executed.

• Completed tables and troubleshooting checklist.

• Answers to all lab questions.

• A one-page summary explaining how IPCONFIG is used to diagnose network configuration problems.

• A reflection describing how DHCP, DNS, and IP addressing work together to provide network connectivity.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this lab, students will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of the IPCONFIG command.

• Display and interpret IP configuration information.

• Identify key TCP/IP settings such as IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server, and MAC address.

• Release and renew DHCP leases.

• Display, flush, and register DNS information.

• Troubleshoot common network connectivity and configuration issues.

• Apply IPCONFIG as a foundational tool for diagnosing Windows networking problems.

Bonus Activity (Advanced)

Create a network inventory for your computer using the IPCONFIG /ALL command.

Reflection

Write a one-page report explaining how a computer obtains an IP address from a DHCP server, how DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, and how the default gateway enables communication with devices outside the local network. Include examples from your IPCONFIG output to support your explanation.