In Linux, the “ip” command is used to manage and manipulate network interfaces and routing tables. It provides a comprehensive set of functionalities for network configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring. Here’s how to use the “ip” command:
- Open a Terminal:
Launch a terminal emulator on your Linux system. - Type the “ip” command:
The basic syntax of the “ip” command is as follows:
ip [options] [object] [command]
- The “[object]” represents the network object you want to manipulate, such as “address,” “link,” “route,” etc.
- The “[command]” represents the specific operation or action you want to perform on the object. For example, to display information about network interfaces, you can use the following command:
ip addr show
The “ip addr show” command will display the details of all network interfaces, including their IP addresses, MAC addresses, and associated settings.
- Displaying Object Information:
You can use various options and objects with the “ip” command to perform specific tasks. Some commonly used objects include:
- “address”: Manipulate IP addresses and related settings.
- “link”: Manage network interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi).
- “route”: Manage routing tables and routes.
- “neigh”: Manipulate ARP cache entries.
- “link show”: Display information about network interfaces.
- “route show”: Display routing table information.
- “addr show”: Display IP addresses assigned to network interfaces. For example, to display the routing table, you can use the following command:
ip route show
The “ip route show” command will show the current routing table, including destination networks, gateway addresses, and interface associations.
- Modifying Object Properties:
The “ip” command allows you to modify object properties. For example, to change the IP address of a network interface, you can use the following command:
ip addr change <new IP>/<subnet mask> dev <interface>
Replace “” with the desired IP address, “” with the subnet mask in CIDR notation, and “” with the name of the network interface.
- Adding and Deleting Objects:
You can add or delete objects using the “ip” command as well. For example, to add a new IP address to a network interface, you can use the following command:
ip addr add <IP>/<subnet mask> dev <interface>
To delete an IP address from a network interface, you can use the following command:
ip addr del <IP>/<subnet mask> dev <interface>
Replace “” with the IP address to add or delete, “” with the subnet mask in CIDR notation, and “” with the name of the network interface.
- Further Exploration:
The “ip” command provides many more options and functionalities for advanced network configuration and troubleshooting. You can refer to the command’s manual page for detailed information by typing:
man ip
The manual page will provide you with a comprehensive guide to using the “ip” command, including all available options, objects, and commands.
The “ip” command is a powerful tool for managing network interfaces, routing tables, and related network settings in Linux. By understanding its usage and options, you can configure and troubleshoot your network connections effectively.