Which MS-DOS command-line utility is the quickest and easiest way to evaluate whether a computer is up and running, and attached to a TCP/IP network?

The command-line utility that serves as the quickest and easiest way to check if a computer is operational and connected to a TCP/IP network is Ping. This utility is specifically designed to send Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request packets to a target IP address or hostname and listens for Echo Reply packets. When you execute Ping, you can quickly determine if the target system is reachable over the network.

For instance, if a computer responds to a Ping command, it indicates that the device is powered on and its networking functionalities are operational. This immediate feedback is essential for troubleshooting network connectivity issues.

In contrast, other options are not as straightforward for this specific task. Netstat is used for viewing network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics but does not test connectivity. Telnet can test if a service is reachable by attempting to connect to a remote host, but it is more complex as it requires specifying a port number and is less focused on basic reachability checks. Route displays the current routing table but does not offer insights into the operational status of a network connection.

Therefore, Ping stands out as the most efficient tool for quickly assessing whether a computer is up and connected to a TCP/IP network.