NetBIOS is a popular protocol mainly used for Microsoft Windows operating systems. NetBIOS provides network-related information and communication over the TCP/IP. The nbtstat command is used to use and manage the NetBIOS protocol. Also, the nbtstat command is used to manage the Windows Internet Name Service (WINS). Another usage for the nbtstat command is troubleshooting of the NetBIOS name resolution. In this tutorial, we will learn how to list the BIOS table, Session statistics, etc. with the nbtstat command.
As the NetBIOS is popular protocol used by all latest Windows operating systems the nbtstat command is provided by Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019.
nbtstat Syntax
The nbtstat command has the following syntax which is very simple and the remote computer IP address or name is provided with the options.
nbtstat OPTIONS- OPTIONS are specified to display, change or clear different configuration.
nbtstat Parameters
The nbtstat command can use the following parameters and options.
| PARAMETER | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| /a HOSTNAME | Display specified computer NetBIOS table |
| /A IPADDRESS | Display specified computer NetBIOS table |
| /c | Display NetBIOS name cache, names, and IP addresses |
| /n | Display NetBIOS name table of the local computer |
| /r | Display NetBIOS name resolution statistics |
| /R | Purge NetBIOS name cache |
| /RR | Release and refresh NetBIOS names |
| /s | Display NetBIOS client and server sessions hostname |
| /S | Display NetBIOS client and server sessions with IP address |
| /? | Display help information |
| INTERVAL | Specify interval value |
Display NetBIOS Table
NetBIOS table provides information about the computers on the current network. NetBIOS table provides a computer name, type, and status information. This table also called as NetBIOS Local Name Table .
C:\>nbtstat /n
Ethernet0:
Node IpAddress: [192.168.142.130] Scope Id: []
NetBIOS Local Name Table
Name Type Status
---------------------------------------------
DESKTOP-HQVAMA3<20> UNIQUE Registered
DESKTOP-HQVAMA3<00> UNIQUE Registered
WORKGROUP <00> GROUP RegisteredDisplay NetBIOS Table of Remote Computer
NetBIOS is an open protocol where remote systems information can be easily gathered. The /A or /a command can be used to get the NetBIOS table of the remote system. The /A is used to specify the remote host as IP address like below.
> nbtstat /A 192.168.1.10or /a is used to specify remote system domain name.
> nbtstat /a dc.windowstect.comDisplay NetBIOS Name Cache
The NetBIOS name cache can be displayed by using the /c parameter.
> nbtstat /cPurge/Clear NetBIOS Name Cache
You can urge or clear the NetBIOS name cache and reload the pre-tagged entries in the local lmhosts file.
> nbtstat /RDisplay NetBIOS Session Statistics
NetBIOS is a session-based protocol where sessions can be established during usage. The NetBIOS sessions information and statistics can be listed with the /S parameter like below.
> nbtstat /SSet Interval
The different commands output can be displayed regularly by specifying an interval. The interval value can be added at the end of the current command. In the following example, we will set the interval as 10 seconds.
> nbtstat /S 10