Which TCP/IP utility would you use to check the status of active network connections?

To check the status of active network connections, the tool you would use is netstat. This utility provides information about the current TCP, UDP, and IP connections on a device. Specifically, netstat can display which ports are open, the IP addresses of active connections, and the status of those connections, such as whether they are established, listening, or closed.

This information is vital for troubleshooting network issues, monitoring network traffic, or ensuring that there are no unauthorized connections. Rather than just testing the reachability of a device (like ping) or measuring the path packets take to a destination (like tracert), netstat provides detailed insights into the network layer's current state. It can also help in performance tuning and security assessments by revealing potentially unwanted connections.

Understanding how to utilize netstat efficiently allows network administrators to maintain effective control over their network environment.