Netstat vs. Netstat -ano

Attribute	Netstat	Netstat -ano
Displays active TCP connections	Yes	Yes
Displays active UDP connections	Yes	Yes
Displays listening ports	Yes	Yes
Displays process ID (PID)	No	Yes
Displays process name	No	Yes

Introduction

Netstat and Netstat -ano are two commonly used commands in the Windows operating system for displaying network statistics and connections. While both commands serve similar purposes, there are some key differences between them that users should be aware of. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Netstat and Netstat -ano to help users understand when and how to use each command.

Netstat

Netstat is a command-line tool that displays active network connections, routing tables, and network interface statistics. When used without any additional options, Netstat provides a list of active connections along with the protocol, local address, foreign address, and state of each connection. This information can be useful for troubleshooting network connectivity issues, identifying unauthorized connections, and monitoring network activity.

• Displays active network connections
• Provides protocol, local address, foreign address, and state of each connection
• Useful for troubleshooting network connectivity issues
• Identifies unauthorized connections
• Monitors network activity

Netstat -ano

Netstat -ano is a variation of the Netstat command that includes additional information about each active connection. In addition to the standard output provided by Netstat, Netstat -ano also displays the process ID (PID) associated with each connection. This can be helpful for identifying which application or service is responsible for a particular network connection, allowing users to take appropriate action if necessary.

• Includes process ID (PID) for each active connection
• Helps identify the application or service associated with a connection
• Allows users to take appropriate action based on PID
• Useful for troubleshooting network issues related to specific applications
• Provides more detailed information than standard Netstat output

Key Differences

One of the key differences between Netstat and Netstat -ano is the level of detail provided about each active connection. While Netstat offers basic information such as protocol, addresses, and state, Netstat -ano goes a step further by including the process ID associated with each connection. This additional information can be crucial for troubleshooting network issues related to specific applications or services.

Another important distinction between the two commands is the intended use case. Netstat is typically used for general network monitoring and troubleshooting, while Netstat -ano is more focused on identifying the processes behind network connections. Users who need to pinpoint the source of a network issue or track down a suspicious connection may find Netstat -ano to be more useful in these scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Netstat and Netstat -ano are valuable tools for monitoring network connections and troubleshooting network issues in Windows. While Netstat provides a basic overview of active connections, Netstat -ano offers more detailed information by including process IDs. Users should choose the appropriate command based on their specific needs, whether it be general network monitoring or identifying the processes behind network connections.