network-commands

Linux powers servers, cloud infrastructure, and development environments across the world.

Whether you’re debugging connectivity or exploring network performance, knowing the right commands can save hours of troubleshooting.

Here are 10 essential Linux network commands every developer and sysadmin should know — what they do, when to use them, and example syntax.

1. ifconfig — Configure and View Network Interfaces

ifconfig (interface configurator) displays or configures network interfaces.

You can use it to assign IP addresses, enable or disable interfaces, or view network details.

Syntax:

ifconfig

Example use cases:

  • Check all active interfaces
  • Set a new IP address
  • Enable or disable an interface

2. traceroute — Trace the Path to a Destination

traceroute helps troubleshoot network routes and latency by tracking packets from your system to a destination host. It lists each hop along the way, showing where delays occur.

Syntax:

traceroute <destination>

Example:

See also: Mastering the Linux Command Line — Your Complete Free Training Guide 

traceroute google.com

Quick tips:

  • Install it if missing: sudo apt-get install inetutils-traceroute
  • Skip reverse DNS lookup for faster results: traceroute -n google.com
  • Each in the output may indicate packet loss or unreachable hops.

3. tracepath — Trace Without Root Access

tracepath is a simpler, non-privileged alternative to traceroute.

It traces the route to a destination and highlights where delays or weak network links occur.

Syntax:

tracepath <destination>

Example:

tracepath google.com

Why use it?

  • Doesn’t require sudo
  • Installed by default on most Linux distros

4. ping — Test Network Connectivity

The ping command checks whether a host is reachable and measures the round-trip time for packets.

It keeps sending ICMP echo requests until you stop it.

Syntax:

ping <destination>

Example:

ping google.com

To send a specific number of packets:

ping -c 5 google.com

Press Ctrl + C to stop execution.

5. netstat — Network Statistics and Connections

netstat displays network connections, routing tables, and interface statistics. It’s a powerful tool for understanding what’s happening under the hood.

Syntax:

netstat

Common variations:

  • Show active programs: netstat -p
  • Display detailed port statistics: netstat -s
  • Show the routing table: netstat -r

Example output:

Proto  Recv-Q  Send-Q  Local Address   Foreign Address   State
tcp4   0       0       1.2.3.4:5865   4.3.2.1:https     ESTABLISHED

6. hostname — View or Change System Name

hostname displays or sets the name of your machine on the network.

Syntax:

hostname

Set a temporary hostname:

sudo hostname <newName>

To set it permanently:

  • On Ubuntu: edit /etc/hostname
  • On RHEL: edit /etc/sysconfig/network

After editing, reboot your system.

7. curl — Transfer Data from URLs

curl transfers data from or to a server using various protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP).

It’s often used for API testing or downloading files.

Syntax:

curl -O <URL>

Example:

curl -O <https://example.com/file.zip>

Use it with flags to customize requests, test APIs, or send data.

8. wget — Download Files from the Web

wget is a command-line downloader that supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.

It can resume downloads, work in the background, and even mirror entire websites.

Syntax:

wget [options] [URL]

Examples:

  • Download a file: wget <http://example.com/sample.html>
  • Resume a download: wget -c <http://example.com/samplefile.tar.gz>
  • Download in the background: wget -b <http://example.com/sample.html>

9. whois — Lookup Domain Information

whois fetches domain registration data, including ownership, registrar, and expiry information.

Syntax:

whois <domain>

Example:

whois google.com

Useful for verifying domain owners or checking registration details.

10. scp — Securely Copy Files Between Systems

scp (Secure Copy) transfers files securely between local and remote systems using SSH encryption.

Syntax:

scp [options] user@src_host:file user@dest_host:file

Examples:

Common options:

  • i → use a specific SSH key
  • r → copy directories recursively

11. ssh — Securely Connect to Remote Systems

ssh (Secure Shell) is used to log into remote servers securely over an encrypted connection.

Syntax:

ssh username@host

Example:

ssh -i ~/key.pem [email protected]

Default port: 22

SSH encrypts both commands and responses, keeping your data secure.

Final Thoughts

Mastering these network commands can dramatically improve your efficiency when diagnosing issues, monitoring connections, or managing remote systems.

Once you’re comfortable with these basics, tools like ss, ip, and nmap can take your Linux networking skills even further.