Windows NLTEST command

The Windows nltest command is a powerful tool for managing domain trust relationships and troubleshooting network issues. With nltest, you can verify trust relationships between domains, force a replication of the trust secrets, and reset a computer account’s password. This command can also be used to ensure secure communication between domain controllers and diagnose network connectivity problems. By understanding the various options and parameters available with the nltest command, you can efficiently manage and troubleshoot your Windows network environment.

NLTEST Syntax:

nltest [option] [parameter]

Options:

Option	Description
/server:ServerName	Specifies the server to connect to.
/sc_query:DomainName	Queries the primary domain controller for the specified domain.
/driver_test:DomainName	Tests security channels to the specified domain.
/dsgetdc:DomainName	Queries a Domain Controller (DC) for a specific domain.
/dsgetsite	Displays the site of the current computer.
/dsaddchildname	Adds a child name to the list of names that are acceptable for online authentication.
/dsquerysrv	Queries DNS for DCs in a domain.
/get_dc:DomainName	Gets the primary domain controller for the specified domain.
/server:ServerName	Specifies the server to connect to.
/trusted_domain:DomainName	Queries a specified trusted domain.
/user:UserName	Specifies the user account to use for the connection.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
ServerName	Specifies the name of the server or domain to target.
DomainName	Specifies the name of the domain or directory service to query.
UserName	Specifies the user account for authentication.

NLTEST Usage:

Querying the Trust Relationship between a Domain and a Domain Controller

nltest /query /sc_query:example.com

Queries the trust relationship between the domain “example.com” and a domain controller.

Enumerating Trusted Domains

nltest /domain_trusts

Enumerates all trusted domains for the current domain.

Verifying Secure Channel between a Computer and a Domain Controller

nltest /sc_verify:exampleDC

Verifies the secure channel between a computer and a specific domain controller named “exampleDC”.

Retrieving Information about the Global Catalog Server

nltest /dsgetdc:example.com

Retrieves information about the Global Catalog Server for the domain “example.com”.

Common Questions on NLTEST Usage:

How do I use nltest in Windows?

To use the nltest command in Windows, execute the following command:

nltest /dsgetdc:domain_name

What is the purpose of the nltest command?

The nltest command in Windows is used to perform various operations related to network settings and domain controllers.

How can I list all trusted domains using nltest?

You can list all trusted domains by running the following command:

nltest /domain_trusts

How do I force a refresh of the secure channel with the domain controller using nltest?

To force a refresh of the secure channel with the domain controller, use the following command:

nltest /sc_query:domain_name

How do I test the secure channel between the computer and the domain controller using nltest?

To test the secure channel between the computer and the domain controller, run the following command:

nltest /sc_verify:domain_name

How can I determine the site associated with the domain controller using nltest?

To determine the site associated with the domain controller, use the following command:

nltest /dsgetsite

How do I query the trusts for a specific domain using nltest?

To query the trusts for a specific domain, execute the following command:

nltest /server:domain_controller /trusted_domains

Applications of the NLTEST Command

Query domain controller information
Test trust relationships
Force replication between domain controllers
Reset secure channel to domain controller
List trusted domains
Simulate NetLogon secure channel
List site information
List domain controllers in a site
Display trusted domain information
List domain’s policies
Verify trust relationships