TRACERT, short for "Trace Route," is a network diagnostic tool available in Windows that helps identify the path taken by packets across an IP network. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting network connectivity issues and understanding the route data takes to reach a destination. This article will guide you through the process of using TRACERT on a Windows system via the Command Prompt (CMD).

What is TRACERT?

TRACERT operates by sending Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the destination with incrementally increasing Time-to-Live (TTL) values. Each router along the path decrements the TTL by one before forwarding the packet. When the TTL reaches zero, the router sends back an ICMP "Time Exceeded" message, revealing its presence. This process continues until the packet reaches its destination, allowing TRACERT to map the route.

How to Use TRACERT in Windows

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Execute the TRACERT Command

To use TRACERT, you need to know the domain name or IP address of the destination. Here’s how you can execute the command:

• Basic TRACERT Command:

  tracert example.com

  Replace example.com with the domain name or IP address you wish to trace.

• Example:

  tracert google.com

  This command will display the route taken by packets to reach Google's servers.

Step 3: Analyze the Output

The TRACERT command will provide a list of hops (routers) that the packets traverse to reach the destination. Each line in the output represents a hop, displaying the following information:

• Hop number
• Round-trip time for three packets
• IP address or hostname of the router

Step 4: Advanced Options

TRACERT also offers several options for more advanced usage:

• Specify Maximum Hops:

  You can limit the number of hops with the -h option:

  tracert -h 10 example.com

  This limits the trace to 10 hops.

• Set Timeout:

  Use the -w option to specify a timeout in milliseconds for each reply:

  tracert -w 1000 example.com

  This sets a 1-second timeout for each hop.

• Resolve Hostnames:

  By default, TRACERT resolves and displays the hostname of each hop. To disable this, use the -d option:

  tracert -d example.com

  This will display only IP addresses, which can speed up the trace process.

Practical Example

Here is a practical example of using TRACERT to diagnose network issues:

tracert -h 15 -w 2000 microsoft.com

This command traces the route to Microsoft's servers, limiting the trace to 15 hops and setting a 2-second timeout for each hop.

Conclusion

TRACERT is a powerful tool for network administrators and users to diagnose and troubleshoot network issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively use TRACERT to gain insights into the paths taken by your network traffic.