CLI: How can I get an IP address from a CIFS NETBIOS name?

Todd Chester 646

Hi All,

Windows 10, pro and home

In Windows Explorer (not IE), when I click on Network in the left column, I get a list of computer CIFS broadcast names in the right pane. Well, after a bit.

I know how to add the IP column in Windows explorer, but ..

Is there a way to translate CIFS NETBIOS broadcast names into IP addresses from the command line?

Many thanks,
-T

12 answers

MotoX80 31,581

but never itself

The pc that you're running it on isn't "in the neighborhood" so to speak. Just use ipconfig or this PS command to get the IP.

(get-netipconfiguration).ipv4address.ipaddress

For netbios, try running nbtstat.

C:\Temp>nbtstat

Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP connections using NBT
(NetBIOS over TCP/IP).

NBTSTAT [ [-a RemoteName] [-A IP address] [-c] [-n]
        [-r] [-R] [-RR] [-s] [-S] [interval] ]

  -a   (adapter status) Lists the remote machine's name table given its name
  -A   (Adapter status) Lists the remote machine's name table given its
                        IP address.
  -c   (cache)          Lists NBT's cache of remote [machine] names and their IP addresses
  -n   (names)          Lists local NetBIOS names.
  -r   (resolved)       Lists names resolved by broadcast and via WINS
  -R   (Reload)         Purges and reloads the remote cache name table
  -S   (Sessions)       Lists sessions table with the destination IP addresses
  -s   (sessions)       Lists sessions table converting destination IP
                        addresses to computer NETBIOS names.
  -RR  (ReleaseRefresh) Sends Name Release packets to WINS and then, starts Refresh

  RemoteName   Remote host machine name.
  IP address   Dotted decimal representation of the IP address.
  interval     Redisplays selected statistics, pausing interval seconds
               between each display. Press Ctrl+C to stop redisplaying
               statistics.

Todd Chester 646 Reputation points

2021-10-24T00:24:50.333+00:00

Hi Moto,

Some of those commands find things, other do not.

What I am really after is how does Windows Explorer do it.

-T
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MotoX80 31,581 Reputation points

2021-10-24T01:37:46.007+00:00

I don't know. I didn't write that code and I don't have access to the source. I've searched the internet. I have tried to call various "Discovery" COM objects. I'm coming up blank. Get-NetNeighbor is the best I could find. Sometimes there isn't a solution to what you want. Or you can wait to see if some MS developer who worked on the Network Discovery project happens to browse this site and replies to your question. Or pull out your corporate credit card and open a case with MS Premier support and see if you can get in touch with the MS network developers.

Again, this is why DNS exists, So that machines can find each other by name.

If your machines have static IP addresses, then create a hosts file entry for every machine.

If you are using DHCP (which you should be able to query), then get creative. Define a scheduled task that runs at startup on every machine and posts the machines address to some common repository that you can query. Sort of a "do it yourself" DNS.

For the record, I am a retired sysadmin with decades of experience. I don't work for MS, and there is a lot that I don't know. But you get what you pay for and this service is free.

Todd Chester 646 Reputation points

2021-10-26T21:11:15.187+00:00

Well, that is the best we can do. I do have access to Autoscan Network on a Linux bootable flash drive, if I need to do a deep scan. Otherwise, I will just stick with Windows Explorer and network details. So far I have only found one "one off" W10 machine where teh veiw menu is only half showing.

I appreciate all you help!

-T
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