Five Essential Networking Commands

In the world of Linux, networking is a cornerstone of system administration. Whether you’re troubleshooting a connection or monitoring your server, mastering a few key commands can make your life a lot easier.

Here are five essential Linux networking commands that every user — beginner or seasoned — should have in their toolkit.

Five Essential Networking Commands

Ready to become a Linux master in 2025? One of the best places to start is mastering networking with these five essential commands.

ifconfig: The Network Workhorse

Though considered a relic by some, ifconfig remains a go-to command for configuring network interfaces. It’s especially useful for viewing IP addresses, netmasks, and other network details.

Why it’s essential: You can quickly bring network interfaces up or down, troubleshoot connectivity, or confirm your system’s network configuration. While newer systems favor the ip command, ifconfig still holds its ground in many environments.

ping: The Connectivity Tester

When your connection goes down, the first thing any sysadmin reaches for is ping. This command sends ICMP packets to a specified host and measures the time it takes to get a response.

Why it’s essential: It’s the simplest way to check if a network host is reachable. No response? You know it’s time to dig deeper into your network.

traceroute: The Path Finder

Ever wonder how your data travels across the internet? traceroute maps the path packets take to reach a destination, showing every “hop” along the way.

Why it’s essential: It’s a vital tool for diagnosing network slowdowns or pinpointing where a connection issue lies. If a hop times out, you’ve found a potential bottleneck.

netstat: The Connection Tracker

For monitoring active connections and open ports, netstat is your go-to. Add the -tuln flag, and it displays both TCP and UDP connections along with numerical port numbers.

Why it’s essential: If something’s hogging your bandwidth or a port is unexpectedly open, netstat can uncover the culprit. It’s perfect for finding rogue processes or confirming service availability.

ss: The Modern Monitor

Think of ss as netstat on steroids. It offers faster and more detailed insights into socket statistics, including the state of connections and the processes behind them.

Why it’s essential: As a modern replacement for netstat, ss provides the same information but with added speed and clarity. Its detailed output can help you track down issues faster.

If you're ready to enhance your Linux knowledge even fiurther, check out the rest of our Linux Mastery articles tutorials, including:

- 10 Linux Commands That Shaped the Modern Terminal

- The 10 Most Dangerous Linux Commands

Wrapping Up: The Takeaway

Linux networking doesn’t have to be daunting. With these five commands, you’ll be equipped to handle most common networking tasks, from diagnosing connectivity issues to monitoring your system’s connections.

Whether you’re managing a home network or maintaining servers, these tools will give you the confidence to tackle challenges head-on.

And remember: Linux is as much about learning as it is about doing. Dive into the documentation, experiment, and make these commands your own.