The console-based ipconfig command enables you to view and set IP settings for
the local computer. For example, the follow command lists all settings and
properties for IP:

ipconfig
/all

However, configuring IP settings isn’t the only task you can
perform with ipconfig. This handy tool also lets you
view DNS information and troubleshoot DNS problems.

For example, if a DNS lookup has failed because a DNS server
wasn’t available, that failed lookup is cached by the computer. You can clear
the local DNS resolver cache with the following
command:

ipconfig
/flushdns

When you’re troubleshooting DNS, it’s sometimes useful to be
able to view the contents of the resolver cache to
determine what the resolver has returned for a
particular host. To view the cache, use the following command:

ipconfig
/displaydns

In addition, you can also cause Windows to update the DNS
record for the local host in the local DNS server:

ipconfig
/registerdns

Updating the host record in DNS ensures that the host name
will resolve to the appropriate IP address after a DHCP lease renewal or manual
address change.

Want more Win2K tips and tricks? Automatically sign up for our free Windows 2000 Professional newsletter, delivered each Tuesday!