HNS Explorer

The Windows Host Network Service is a part of the OS' container networking feature, which works to manage host networks at the level of the operating system. As such, when looking to troubleshoot network-related data, taking a look at the information provided through the Host Network can provide valuable insight that may nudge one in the right direction.

HNS Explorer acts as a GUI for the Windows Host Network Service, and it presents all the provided data with sufficient depth in an easily-digestible manner. Everything is broken up into the relevant sections, so users can handily navigate the program, whilst also being able to capture packets and dump the data to a .JSON file.

In an effort to provide users with Host Network Service data, as well as in the name of efficiency, there's no installation process to go through. Fire up the app, and it'll start right up: information about your network will then be presented, and users will appreciate the minimalist-looking, sleek interface design, that nevertheless presents all the details in-depth.

For easier navigation, the data is separated into Activities, Namespaces, HostRoutes, and Orphaned Data. The categories are expandable, so you can view the activity for each existing virtual switch on your system, for example.

For posterity, users can have the program dump the data into a .JSON file, which can be of aid when you want to look at the information at a later time, but it can also come in handy when looking to compare two Host Network Service data .JSON files.

If you're experiencing a spotty connection, then the Packet Capture function might help you make out the source of the problem. The interface is straightforward, and all you have to do is select the network switch that you want to inspect. The opened PowerShell window will then start recording — a file with the monitoring data will be saved to your desktop shortly after the recording is stopped.

HNS Explorer is a utility that can come in quite handy in situations where you're unsure of a network problem, or when you're simply curious to know more about the goings-on of the Windows Host Network Service.