Which Troubleshooting Tool Can Be Used To Determine The Current TCP Open Connections On A PC?

Introduction

In today's interconnected world, understanding network connections is crucial for IT professionals and system administrators. One common task is identifying current TCP open connections on a Windows PC, which helps diagnose network issues, detect unauthorized access, and optimize system performance.

For those preparing for the MD-100 (Windows 10) exam (Release 1809 and later) or other Microsoft certifications, mastering these tools is essential. This article explores various troubleshooting tools available in Windows 10 and later versions, along with their usage. Additionally, we recommend Study4Pass as a reliable resource for certification preparation.

Why Monitor TCP Open Connections?

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a core networking protocol that ensures reliable data transmission between devices. Monitoring TCP connections helps in:

• Network Troubleshooting: Identifying failed or stalled connections.
• Security Monitoring: Detecting suspicious or unauthorized connections.
• Performance Optimization: Analyzing bandwidth usage and connection states.
• Compliance & Auditing: Ensuring only approved services are running.

For MD-100 certification candidates, understanding these tools is part of maintaining and troubleshooting Windows 10 systems.

Built-in Windows Tools to Check TCP Connections

Windows 10 (Release 1809 and later) includes several built-in utilities to monitor TCP connections. Below are the most effective tools:

Netstat (Network Statistics)

Netstat is a command-line tool that displays active TCP connections, listening ports, and network statistics.

How to Use Netstat:

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell.
2. Enter the following command to see all active connections:

netstat -ano

• -a → Shows all connections and listening ports.
• -n → Displays addresses and port numbers numerically.
• -o → Shows the Process ID (PID) associated with each connection.

netstat -ano | find "PID"

Interpreting Netstat Output:

• State: Indicates connection status (e.g., ESTABLISHED, TIME_WAIT, CLOSE_WAIT).
• Foreign Address: The remote IP and port the PC is communicating with.
• PID: Helps identify the application (check via Task Manager > Details tab).

Resource Monitor (Resmon)

Resource Monitor provides a graphical interface to monitor TCP/IP connections, along with CPU, memory, and disk usage.

How to Use Resource Monitor:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Performance tab and click Open Resource Monitor.
3. Navigate to the Network tab.
4. Under TCP Connections, view all active connections, including:

• Remote addresses
• Sent/received data
• Process names

This tool is useful for MD-100 exam scenarios involving performance monitoring.

PowerShell (Get-NetTCPConnection)

PowerShell offers advanced scripting capabilities for network diagnostics. The Get-NetTCPConnection cmdlet retrieves TCP connection details.

How to Use PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell (Admin).
2. Run:

powershell

Get-NetTCPConnection

3. Filter by state (e.g., ESTABLISHED):

powershell

Get-NetTCPConnection -State Established

4. Find connections by process name:

powershell

Get-Process -Id (Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 80).OwningProcess

This method is efficient for automation and scripting, a valuable skill for Microsoft certification holders.

TCPView (Sysinternals Tool)

TCPView is a free Microsoft Sysinternals tool that provides a real-time, user-friendly view of all TCP and UDP connections.

How to Use TCPView:

1. Download TCPView from Microsoft’s Sysinternals website.
2. Run the executable (no installation required).
3. The tool displays:

• Process name
• Local & remote addresses
• Connection state

This tool is excellent for real-time troubleshooting, often used in enterprise environments.

Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security

While not a direct TCP monitoring tool, the Windows Defender Firewall logs can help track allowed/blocked connections.

How to Check Firewall Logs:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. Navigate to Monitoring > Firewall.
3. Review inbound/outbound rules and connection attempts.

This is useful for security-related troubleshooting in MD-100 and security-focused certifications.

Comparing the Tools

How This Knowledge Helps in MD-100 & Other Microsoft Certifications?

The MD-100 (Windows 10) exam covers troubleshooting network issues, making these tools essential. Additionally, other certifications like:

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate
• Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
• Cybersecurity (SC-200, SC-300)

require network diagnostics skills. Study4Pass offers comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and Microsoft Exam Dumps to help candidates succeed.

Why Choose Study4Pass for Certification Preparation?

• Updated Study Materials: Covers Windows 10 (1809+) and latest Microsoft exams.
• Real Exam Simulations: Practice tests mimic actual certification exams.
• Expert Guidance: Tips from certified professionals.
• Affordable & Reliable: High pass rates with verified content.

For MD-100, Azure, or Security certifications, visit Study4Pass for the best resources.

Conclusion

Determining current TCP open connections on a Windows 10 PC (Release 1809 and later) is crucial for troubleshooting and security. Tools like Netstat, Resource Monitor, PowerShell, TCPView, and Windows Firewall provide different levels of insight.

For MD-100 aspirants and other Microsoft certification candidates, mastering these tools is essential. Study4Pass provides excellent study materials to help you pass your exams with confidence.

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Actual Exam Questions For Microsoft's MD-100 Practice Test

Sample Questions For Microsoft MD-100 Study Guide

1. Which tool is commonly used to check the current TCP open connections on a Windows PC?

a) Ping

b) Netstat

c) Tracert

d) Ipconfig

2. What command displays active TCP connections along with the process ID (PID) in Windows?

a) netstat -a

b) netstat -b

c) netstat -ano

d) netstat -r

3. Which of the following tools can also be used to monitor TCP connections in real-time?

a) Resource Monitor

b) Disk Cleanup

c) Device Manager

d) System Restore

4. In Linux, which command is similar to netstat and can display TCP connections?

a) ifconfig

b) ss

c) ping

d) route

5. Which flag in the netstat command shows only TCP connections?

a) -t

b) -u

c) -p

d) -e