Linux Network Troubleshooting Commands & Tips

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1 year ago

The Ultimate Guide to Solving Linux Network Problems Like a Pro

Over the years, Linux's utility has grown from merely performing basic functionality to large, complex tasks. It offers robust networking features, and as a result, users widely adopt it for personal and professional use. With the increasing usage of this operating system, it is not rare to struggle with networking issues. To help you with this, we will share Linux Network troubleshooting commands and tips.

What Is Troubleshooting In Linux?

Before delving further into the blog, let’s first understand what troubleshooting in Linux means. When we say troubleshooting in Linux, we mean diagnosing and resolving system issues by identifying the problem and gathering information (logs, system data). Further, you can also analyse logs for error messages and use commands like “dmesg”, “journalctl”, and “top” to monitor performance.

Commands To Troubleshoot Networking Issues In Linux

In our previous blogs, we discussed commands and shortcuts to improve your productivity on Linux devices. Here we will discuss Linux network troubleshooting commands to solve any underlying networking problem:

Commands/Tools	Description
ping	This Linux network troubleshooting command uses the ICMP protocol to test the host's reachability on an IP network. It can provide information like the total number of packets transmitted and received and their time taken.
nslookup	This command will help in fetching the IP address and domain name from DNS records.
traceroute	It will display the path of the packet, along with the total number of hops it takes to reach the destination.
host	The “Host” Linux network troubleshooting command helps find the domain name related to the IP address or vice versa.
netstat	This is for finding details like routing tables, port status, connection information, and more. It uses the Linux Network Subsystem to display the content of the/proc/net file defined in the Linux file system.
Arp	This command is used to modify the ARP cache, which includes mapping the IP address to the MAC address.
ifconfig	“ifconfig” is a Linux network troubleshooting command that displays the IP address and netmask of a network interface and helps you enable and disable it.
Dig	The Dig command is used to find information about a domain name and solve DNS-related issues in Linux. It can also provide information on different types of DNS records, such as MX records, CNAME, and more.
Route	If you want to alter or want to display the routing table in Linux, this command is used. This helps you with the information on how network packets should be routed.
ethtool	Ethtool is used to view and modify the settings of a network interface card (NIC) in Linux, replacing the old “mii-tool”. This command allows users to check the current speed and duplex settings of the NIC.
socat	It is used as a relay for bidirectional data transfer between two separate data streams and also supports various types of streams, such as files, pipes, devices, and sockets.
ss	This Linux network troubleshooting command is a part of the iproute2 package and is used to filter out the capabilities.

We have mentioned all the necessary Linux network troubleshooting commands for dealing with networking issues in Linux devices. However, remember this list is not exhaustive but still can help you with basic troubleshooting. You can also comment on any of the commands that you know can help in troubleshooting in Linux which we have not included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of Linux?

LINUX stands for Lovable Intellect Not Using XP. It was created by Linus Torvalds, who also lent his name to the system. Linux is an open-source operating system used across various platforms, including servers, computers, mainframes, mobile devices, and embedded systems.

What are the key features of Linux?

Open-source nature
Robust security
Multi-user capability
Multitasking
Portability
Flexibility and customisation

Is Linux suitable for gaming?

Yes, Linux gaming has improved significantly, with platforms like Steam supporting many Linux-compatible games. Tools like Proton and Lutris can help run Windows games on Linux.