On a Windows PC, which switch must you add to the ipconfig command to display full TCP/IP configuration details, including DNS server settings?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: /all

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question checks your familiarity with basic Windows command line tools used for network troubleshooting. The ipconfig utility displays IP configuration information, but by default it shows only a subset of details. To verify Domain Name System configuration and other advanced parameters, you must use a specific switch that expands the output.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- The operating system is Windows.
- We are using the ipconfig command at a command prompt or PowerShell window.
- We want to see detailed information, including DNS servers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol details, and possibly physical addresses.
- The question asks which switch must be added to ipconfig to get these expanded details.


Concept / Approach:
On Windows, ipconfig without switches displays basic information such as IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for each adapter. To show the full configuration, including DNS servers, DHCP lease information, and possibly WINS and other settings, you must use the /all switch. Windows uses the forward slash style for switches in many traditional console tools. Other combinations such as -all or /dns are not valid in this context for showing the whole configuration.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that ipconfig /all is the standard command shown in documentation and troubleshooting guides to display complete adapter details.Step 2: Remember that /all reveals DNS server addresses, DHCP server, lease obtained and expiration times, and adapter specific information.Step 3: Recognize that /dns is not a valid ipconfig switch and that Windows tools typically do not use the hyphen form such as -all for ipconfig.Step 4: Exclude any options that are not documented or that would not show full output.Step 5: Select /all as the correct switch to add.


Verification / Alternative check:
If you have access to a Windows system, you can run ipconfig and observe the limited output. Then run ipconfig /all and compare. You will see additional lines for each adapter, including host name, primary DNS suffix, node type, whether DHCP is enabled, physical address, and the list of DNS servers. This experiment confirms that /all is the switch that provides full details.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The /dns and -dns options are not recognized as valid switches for ipconfig and will either generate an error or be ignored. The -all syntax is not standard for this tool, which uses the slash. The /full option is also not a documented switch for ipconfig and will not show the needed output. Using any of these incorrect options would prevent administrators from seeing the DNS configuration they need to verify.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the syntax of Unix style tools, which often use hyphenated switches, with Windows tools such as ipconfig, which use slash switches. Another pitfall is to assume there is a special /dns switch just because the question mentions DNS. In practice, ipconfig /all is the go to command for most IP configuration troubleshooting in Windows environments.


Final Answer:
You should use the ipconfig /all command to display the full configuration, including DNS server settings.

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