Command library / Test-NetConnection

Test connectivity to a host and TCP port

PowerShell's all-in-one connectivity check: ping, TCP port test and route tracing in a single cmdlet. It returns an object (TcpTestSucceeded, RemotePort …) instead of text, so it composes well in scripts. PowerShell names and parameters are case-insensitive, and `tnc` is a built-in alias.

Usage

Options and flags

• -ComputerName, -CN, -RemoteAddress HOST

  target host name or IP (first positional parameter)

• -Port, -RemotePort PORT

  TCP port to test

• -CommonTCPPort NAME

  shortcut for a well-known port: HTTP, RDP, SMB or WINRM

• -InformationLevel LEVEL

  Quiet returns just True/False; Detailed returns everything

• -TraceRoute

  also trace the network path to the target

Examples

• Test-NetConnection 10.0.0.5 -Port 445

  Is SMB reachable on 10.0.0.5?

• Test-NetConnection 10.0.0.5 -Port 3389 -InformationLevel Quiet

  Returns only True or False — ideal for scripts.

• Test-NetConnection intranet.local -CommonTCPPort HTTP

  Test HTTP (port 80) using the shortcut.

• Test-NetConnection 10.0.0.5 -TraceRoute

  Ping plus the hop-by-hop path.

Common mistakes

Related commands